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Boy, 12, killed in hit-and-run while trying to cross M62 motorway

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th August 2023

A 12-year-old boy died on the M62 last night after being hit by a vehicle while trying to cross the motorway.

The youngster had been trying to cross from the central reservation to the hard shoulder when the collision occurred.

The driver of the vehicle that hit him failed to stop, and hasn’t reported themselves to the police.

West Yorkshire Police are now appealing for any information that could help them track down the person who hit the child.

The incident occurred at around 9.50pm on Saturday 5 August, between junctions 25 and 26.

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The collision happened on the eastbound carriageway of the M62 but he was found in the westbound carriageway.

The road, which links Manchester and Leeds, was closed in both directions last night.

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Earlier that night, police had received reports of a one-vehicle collision involving an Audi Q5 on the slip road to Hartshead Services, and reports of two people walking along the motorway. 

After the collision, emergency services located a man on the hard shoulder, who was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and is currently in custody.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Sarah Jones said: “This is an absolutely tragic incident that has resulted in the death of a young boy. We have specialist officers supporting his family at this extremely difficult time.

“We understand that he was trying to make his way from the central reservation to the hard shoulder when he has been hit by a vehicle. The driver of this vehicle has not stopped at the scene or reported this collision to the police, and I would urge them to come forward now and assist us in our enquiries.

“We are also asking anyone who was driving along the M62 between Hartshead Moor and the M606 last night between 9.30pm and 9.50pm to please check any dashcam footage you may have of this incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team by using 101 Live Chat or by calling 101, quoting log 1786 of 5 August.

Featured image: Google Maps