Leigh fans ‘stuck’ and drivers stranded ‘for hours’ after fire and serious crash causes M62 chaos

An air ambulance landed nearby following a 'serious collision' which closed the motorway overnight

22:09, 29 May 2025

Leigh fans became 'stuck' with drivers stranded 'for hours' after a fire and serious crash caused chaos on the M62[1] on Thursday evening (May 29).

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Emergency services closed the motorway due to a 'serious collision'. Motorists were brought to a standstill eastbound from junction 22 A627 near Rishworth Moor in Denshaw, to junction 23 for New Hey Road in Huddersfield.

An air ambulance also landed nearby and was seen flying over the motorway as drivers became stuck in a large police closure.

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The westbound carriageway also faced congestion after lanes were closed earlier in the evening due to a lorry fire.

West Yorkshire Police warned motorists to 'avoid the area' following the serious crash at around 6pm and said the motorway would likely be closed overnight for investigations to take place.

No further details about the number of vehicles or condition of those involved have been released.

A user on X also 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.

The traffic was also dubbed a 'nightmare' for Leigh Leopards fans, who flocked to social media to express their frustration at the delays.

One X user said: "M62 shut, nightmare for Leigh fans." Another posted: "On M62 so Leigh fans [are] stuck."

Others claimed they had been stuck for 'three hours' before the closure was lifted and traffic was released by emergency services.

"Been sat here three hours, apparently [it will be] closed all night" one person posted, as another wrote: "I am a mile behind the incident. It'll be shut the rest of the night.

I've seen Highways Officers giving water out to a few cars at the front."

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police posted: "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."

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References

1. ^ M62 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
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