A SERIOUS crash between a HGV and a rider on an electrically assisted bike in the early hours of this morning has closed one carriageway on the M62.

Traffic alerts have reported the M62 westbound closed, and there is queueing traffic due to a crash from Junction 30 A642 (Rothwell) to Junction 29 M1 J42 (Lofthouse).

The incident involving a collision between and HGV and a cyclist reportedly occurred just before 2am this morning and has since closed the road.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "Emergency services are continuing to attend on the westbound carriageway of the M62 at junction 30 following a serious collision between a HGV and a rider on an electrically assisted bike just after 1.17am this morning.

"The cycle rider received serious injuries in the incident. The motorway remains closed at the junction while police investigations and work to recover the HGV remain ongoing.

"Drivers are urged to avoid the area and are thanked for their patience."

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, National Highways: Yorkshire said: "The M62 remains closed westbound between Junction 30 near Wakefield and Junction 29 Lofthouse due to a serious collision.

"Diversion route details are available here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/travel-alerts/

"The carriageway is expected to remain closed for some time.

"Please plan ahead."

Traffic alerts says motorists should use the diversion via the A642 Wakefield Road to the Rothwell Haigh Interchange to join the Southbound M1. Leave the M1 at the Lofthouse Interchange to re-join the M62.

The M62 crash is one of two major incidents causing problems on motorways this mornings

A spokesperson for National Highways Yorkshire said:  "Drivers in Yorkshire are being advised of two extended incidents – along the westbound M62 near Wakefield and southbound M1 near Sheffield – which are likely to cause delays to journeys throughout this morning.

"The westbound M62 between junction 30 and junction 29 near Lofthouse interchange in West Yorkshire has been closed since 4.30am following a serious collision.

"A police investigation is underway and is likely to take several hours with the closure likely to be in place beyond this morning’s peak travel period.

"Further south, between junction 32 and junction 31 of the M1 east of Sheffield, three of the four lanes of the southbound carriageway are closed following a lorry fire last night. 

"The fire has resulted in damage to the road surface and safety barrier but also requires specialist recovery for the vehicle load which is currently being assessed. National Highways is advising drivers that this work is also likely to mean extended lane closures beyond this morning’s peak travel period. 

"Drivers seeking to join the southbound M1 at junction 32 from the M18 are also affected by these lane closures.

Drivers likely to be affected by the M62 carriageway closure and M1 lane closures are advised to delay journeys or seek alternative routes. 

"On road traffic officers from outstations near both incidents have been on the scene throughout helping to manage traffic while staff at the North East regional operations centre along the M1 near Wakefield, and colleagues at the National Traffic Operations Centre next to the M5 in Birmingham, have set electronic signs across the regional and wider motorway network to advise drivers of the incidents and diversions."