A pair of truckers in a HGV have escaped with no serious injuries despite their vehicle crashing through a bridge on the M62 and falling into the canal below.
Photos of the dramatic accident have since been uploaded to Twitter by firefighter Damian Cameron and photojournalist Mark Cosgrove.
Firefighter Cameron said those onboard the vehicle had a “very lucky escape”. Mr Cameron added that passersby had provided assistance before the emergency services arrived at the scene.
Incredibly lucky escape 🍀 thankfully no serious injuries after a collision sent an HGV & trailer off a bridge on the M62. Passersby quickly gave assistance until Police, Ambulance & Fire crews arrived on scene 🚓🚑🚁🚒 pic.twitter.com/oSA9hrz3uz
— Damian Cameron (@damo3633) May 11, 2021
As a result of the accident, Highways England temporarily closed the M62 between J31 and J30. The road has since reopened.
People flock to the area of the crash site to look at the lorries container that still lays on the bottom of the Aire & Calder Navigation canal@Mark_Cozy pic.twitter.com/XwqfW1nWF2
— Mark Cosgrove (@Mark_Cozy) May 11, 2021
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police made the following statement regarding the accident:
At approximately 8.16pm last night, police in Leeds received reports of a road traffic collision involving an HGV lorry on the M62 westbound, between junction 30 and 31, Rothwell. Officer attended and found the HGV had left the carriageway onto the Aire and Calder Navigation. The driver and passenger of the HGV were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life threatening. The motorway was subject to closures for some time but has now been reopened.
Photo credits: Google Maps / Twitter screenshots from @Mark_Cozy and @damo3633