M62 traffic LIVE: Huge stretch of major motorway closed after horror crash

A huge crash has forced a major UK motorway to close overnight. Emergency services have closed the M62 due to a crash late last night due to an earlier incident involving a lorry fire. Accident investigations teams are examining the scene on the M62 Eastbound, which is likely to remain closed between Junctions 22 and 23 for the rest of the night.

Motorists on the eastbound stretch of the motorway were stuck in standstill traffic for hours last night between junction 22 A627 near Rishworth Moor in Denshaw, to junction 23, New Hey Road in Huddersfield. The latest update from National Highways confirms West Yorkshire Police [1] remain at the scene to carry out collision investigations. National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance assisting with the release of traffic caught within the closure.

Traffic is being released via rearward relief and diversion routes are in place. It is unclear if any injuries have been reported at this time. The Mirror has contacted the Yorkshire Ambulance Service for further updates.

Read our live blog below for the latest updates...

02:13Paige Ingram

Motorists stuck for seven hours

People are still reporting that they are stuck in the queues on the M62, seven hours after they first became trapped in traffic due to an accident on the route. One stuck driver said they "can't wait to tell everyone in my life i was stuck on the M62 for 7 hours," while another said in frustration "You actually going to get us moving now or what? Nearly 7 hours is beyond embarrassing and nowhere near good enough!"

01:49Paige Ingram

Motorists express frustration after long waits

Some motorists at the front of the queuing traffic on the M62 Eastbound have been stuck there for over five hours tonight, while cars behind them are being turned around and redirected.

Motorists have been venting their frustration on social media. Driver Danny said on X, "Hurry up please lads I'm starving" after waiting for nearly six hours, while another vented: "Please please please give us some news. We are near the front.

No one is moving or has moved or is being taken off the motorway."

00:26Paige Ingram

Images show deserted M62

Highway cameras show the large extent of the M62 Eastbound, which remains closed tonight - more than six hours after the incident was first rerported. Traffic sensors on the route still read: "M62 Eastbound closed due to accident from J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor) to J23 A640 New Hey Road (Huddersfield)."

Highways England traffic cameras show the empty motorway00:02Paige Ingram

Diversion routes in place

Road users travelling eastbound should follow the hollow circle diversion symbol.

Driving East, exit the M62 Motorway using Junction 22 offslip road and proceed to the junction at the end of the slip road.
At the junction, turn left onto the A672 (Oldham Road) and proceed along this road for approximately 5 miles to the junction with the A58.
At the junction, join the A58 (Halifax Road) and proceed along this road for approximately 5 miles to the roundabout with A6142.
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A6142 and proceed along this road for approximately 500m to the junction with the A58.
At the junction, go straight forward onto A58 (Rochdale Road) and proceed along this road for approximately 500m to the junction with A646.
At the junction, turn right onto the A646 and proceed along this roadfor approximately 1 mile to the junction with the A629.
At the junction, turn right onto the A629 and proceed along this roadfor approximately 4 miles to the roundabout (Ainley Top) with theA643.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A629 and proceed alongthis road for approximately 500m to the junction with the M62Motorway (Junction 24).
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit to rejoin M62 East.

00:01Paige Ingram

Investigation now underway

Accident investigations teams are examining the scene on the M62 Eastbound, which is likely to remain closed between Junctions 22 and 23 overnight. In an update to traffic sensors, National Highways teams confirmed that 'accident investigation work' is now underway on the closed section of the motorway.

22:46Joe Coughlan

M62 eastbound remains closed at 10.45pm

National Highways Yorkshire confirmed shortly before 10.45pm that the M62 remained closed eastbound between J22 (Denshaw) and J24 (Huddersfield) as a result of a series collision.

The authority said: "Traffic caught within the closure continues to be released. Thank you for your patience."

22:38Joe Coughlan

Supporters of Leigh Leopards miss game after being stuck on motorway

Several fans of the Leigh Leopards have said that they are still stuck on the M62 while on their way to the rugby Super League match at John Smith's Stadium between the Leigh Leopards and Huddersfield Giants - which started at 8pm and finished shortly before 10pm. One fan said: "Some of us are still on the coach stuck on the M62!"

Another supporter had asked the Huddersfield Giants to consider delaying the game's kickoff, claiming many Leigh Leopards fans were still stuck on the M62.

22:26Joe Coughlan

Groom "stuck" in traffic queue on way to his wedding

A driver stuck on the M62 said she had been stationary on the motorway for five hours while on the way to a friend's wedding - with the groom also in the queue behind her. She said: "Been here since 5.30pm on our way to a friend's wedding. No water, toilets, food.

Police say motorway is going to be closed all night, whilst they do investigations. "Sad and sorry for the groom also stuck somewhere behind us, meant to be a lovely wedding eve with friends."

22:19Joe Coughlan

Delays expected to continue until 3.45am

Traffic England has issued an update saying that congestion is now expected to last until between 3.30am and 3.45am. This would mean the motorway would continue to be affected nearly 12 hours after initial reports of the lorry fire.

22:10Joe Coughlan

Individual tried to "remove central barriers" to exit traffic queue

One X user said the situation had become so "frustrating" that individuals were "risking their lives".

They said: "I just saw a man walking down the central reservation testing to see if he could remove the central barriers to drive through. He couldn't but how dangerous? Where are the police and traffic officers?"

National Highways responded by saying all available traffic officers were either providing traffic management at the closure or assisting with releasing traffic through the gap in the central reservation.

21:58Joe Coughlan

It will take "some time" to get vehicles in area moving

National Highways Yorkshire said on X: "It's likely to take some time to get everyone moving unfortunately as a lot of vehicles have to be turned around to reach the turn around gates. We appreciate your continued patience."

21:52Joe Coughlan

Expected time of traffic being cleared pushed back

Traffic England has pushed back its estimated time for congestion in the area to clear by 45 minutes, meaning normal traffic conditions are not expected to return until between 2.30am and 2.45am on Friday, May 30.

21:43Joe Coughlan

Delays leave drivers sitting on motorway for "four hours"

Motorists have expressed their frustration at the delays on Facebook, with one claiming they had been on the motorway for over four hours. Others have criticised the M62, as another user called it the "worst motorway in the country".

21:36Joe Coughlan

Eyewitness claims "at least 10 cars and a motorcycle" involved

A driver said on Facebook that the M62 eastbound appeared it would be closed "for hours".

He added that there was an "at least 10 car pile up", also saying that a motorcycle was involved.

21:28Joe Coughlan

Motorists stuck "for two hours"

Motorists have said they were stuck in the closure "for two hours" trying to get home after the incident that occurred this evening before National Highways worked to release drivers from the queues. It is thought the major collision happened at around 6pm and followed an earlier fire, which also contributed to the delays being reported.

21:22Joe Coughlan

Severe congestion not predicted to clear until 2am

Traffic England has suggested that normal traffic conditions cannot be expected in the area until between 1.45 and 2am on Friday, May 30.

21:17Joe Coughlan

Closure in place eastbound between J22 and J24

The closure affects the eastbound portion of the M62, between J22 and J24 shown in the map below.

21:11Joe Coughlan

"Huge crowd" at Huddersfield for rugby league match

An X user said that there was a "huge crowd" present in Huddersfield for the rugby Super League match at John Smith's Stadium between the Leigh Leopards and Huddersfield Giants. Meanwhile, another user said they fans travelling from Leigh may be "stuck" as a result of the queues of traffic.

21:06Joe Coughlan

National Highways confirm closure remains in place at 9pm

National Highways Yorkshire said in a statement shortly after 9pm that the motorway was still closed between J22 and J24.

The body said: "The M62 remains closed eastbound between J22 (Denshaw) and J24 (Huddersfield) due to a serious collision." It added: "If you're caught within the closure, we're releasing traffic through a set of turn around gates. You'll either be turned around or released forward towards the gates."

21:01Joe Coughlan

Traffic a "nightmare" for Leigh Leopards fans

Drivers have flocked to social media to express their frustration at the delays.

One X user said: "M62 shut, nightmare for Leigh fans." The Leigh Leopards are currently playing against the Huddersfield Giants in the rugby Super League at John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield.

20:57Joe Coughlan

Motorway remains closed over four hours later

The lorry fire reportedly took place shortly before 4.30pm this afternoon, with the M62 eastbound having since been closed eastbound between J22 (Denshaw) and J24 (Huddersfield).

20:45Joe Coughlan

Traffic being released through gates in central reservation

National Highways Yorkshire has said that drivers caught in queues in the area are being released. The highways operator said: "If you're caught within the closure, we're releasing traffic through gates in the central reservation midway through the queue.

You may be turned or released forward."

20:40Joe Coughlan

Road "likely" to remain closed for the rest of the night

West Yorkshire Police said on X (formerly Twitter): "Emergency services are at the scene of a serious collision on the M62 near J24 (Ainley Top). The Eastbound M62 has been closed from J22 to J24 as a result. "The road is likely to remain closed for the rest of tonight.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area."

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious collision on the M62 near J24 (Ainley Top). The Eastbound M62 has been closed from J22 to J24 as a result. The road is likely to remain closed for the rest of tonight.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/7JeCG3TQzB [2]

-- West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) May 29, 2025 [3]20:40Joseph Gamp

Delays of at least 30 minutes in the area - National Highways

National Highways Yorkshire said: "The M62 is now closed eastbound between J22 (Denshaw) and J24 (Huddersfield) due to a serious collision. An air ambulance is now on scene. There are delays of at least 30 minutes in the area."

20:38Joseph Gamp

M62 Eastbound remains closed near Huddersfield

M62 Eastbound closed, with stationary traffic due to accident from J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor) to J23 A640 New Hey Road (Huddersfield).

An air ambulance we seen landing in the area.

An air ambulance is currently on the scene20:37Joseph Gamp

Delayed traffic backing up

All lanes were reopened after the fire, although congestion continued to prove a problem due to the fire and there are still delays backing up.

20:32Joseph Gamp

Latest updates on M62 delays from Inrix

Traffic monitoring tool Inrix says of the latest delays: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to accident on M62 Eastbound from J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor) to J23 A640 New Hey Road (Huddersfield).

All traffic held eastbound.

"The westbound side congested due to the earlier lorry fire."

All traffic has been stopped on the M62 due to a crash this evening

References

^ West Yorkshire Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ pic.twitter.com/7JeCG3TQzB (t.co)
^ May 29, 2025 (twitter.com)