Three killed in motorway crash

Three men have been killed in a crash on a snow-affected motorway, police said today.

West Yorkshire Police said a Mitsubishi saloon car left the westbound carriageway of the M62 near Huddersfield and collided with the nearside barrier.

Three men in the vehicle, who are believed to be from the Preston area, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The accident happened at about 9.10pm yesterday when officers received several reports of an incident near to junction 23.

Snow had been falling in the area but police could not say if the conditions had played a factor in the accident. A spokeswoman said the weather would form part of the inquiry and the exact cause remains under investigation.

Elland fire station watch manager Mick Pollard told the Huddersfield Daily Examiner: "It had been snowing at the time for an hour. The snow started at about 8pm. By 9.11pm when we were called, there was a good covering of snow on the road.

"We don't know if that is what caused it, but it could have been a factor," he told the paper.

The carriageway was closed overnight as a result of the incident and re-opened at 5am this morning.

Anyone who saw what happened or has information should contact the West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team on 01924 293047.