M62 shut off with man seriously hurt in hospital after lorry driver smashes into van
Carl Bullock was driving on the M62 near Rochdale
06:04, 07 Nov 2025Updated 06:35, 07 Nov 2025
View ImageThe crash caused tailbacks on the M62A van driver was seriously hurt after his vehicle broke down and a lorry ploughed into the back of it on the M62[1].
Gary Lubuska was driving home on a Friday evening when his van suddenly cut out and came to a stop, on the eastbound carriageway near Rochdale[2]. Shortly after, a lorry driven by Carl Bullock ploughed into the back of the Ford Transit, throwing the van across the carriageway and hitting the central reservation.
He spent more than a week in hospital after suffering serious injuries, Minshull Street Crown Court heard. Bullock, 56, said he was unable to offer an explanation but he told how he had been reaching for his glove compartment moments earlier.
Prosecuting, Helena Williams said that Gary Lubuska was driving home from work in a Ford Transit van on the M62 eastbound, between junctions 21 and 22 near Rochdale.
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Mr Lubuska was travelling in the slow lane at 60mph when the van suddenly 'cut off' and broke down.
He later estimated that it was between 10 and 30 seconds from when the van began slowing down, to when it came to a halt.
Mr Lubuska said he was unable to move onto the hard shoulder, due to 'concrete bollards' being present. He put his hazard lights on.
Shortly after, HGV driver Bullock began moving towards the van, also travelling in the slow lane. Another driver, behind both of them, saw the stationary Transit van and the lorry, which did not appear to be slowing down.
He began beeping his horn and flashing his lights to try and alert the lorry driver.
But shortly after Bullock collided into the Transit van, causing it to travel across the other three lanes and colliding with the central reservation.
Mr Lubuska was knocked unconscious. He woke up in 'extreme pain', having suffered injuries to his neck and head.
He spent eight days in hospital and underwent 'numerous' operations. Bullock was arrested at the scene.
The motorway was closed off for about two hours.
Questioned by police, Bullock was 'unable to say what had occurred' but said the sun may have affected his vision. He also said that had been reaching for an item from his glovebox. Bullock, of Laceby Road, Grimsby, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving.
Article continues belowJudge Neil Usher said the most likely cause for the crash was Bullock reaching into his glove compartment.
He said of the case: "It is a salutary reminder to all drivers of the potential consequences of not paying careful attention each and every time you get behind the wheel of a vehicle."
Defending, Ian Bridge said: "There is no evidence in this case, and there cannot be, that this is anything other than a momentary error.
He is genuinely utterly mortified at what has happened, and mortified that he cannot give an explanation."
Bullock was sentenced to a 12 month community order, to include 150 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was banned from driving for a year, and was also ordered to contribute GBP500 towards the prosecution costs of the case.