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Woman on hen party dies as 19 injured in crash on M62 Woman on hen party dies as 19 injured in crash on M62
(35 minutes later)
A woman travelling to a hen party has died in a crash on the M62 in West Yorkshire which injured 19 people, six of them seriously, police have said. A woman travelling to a hen party has died in a crash on the M62 in West Yorkshire, which injured 19 people, six of them seriously.
A major incident was declared after the collision between a lorry and a mini bus near junction 32 westbound at 11:00 BST. A major incident was declared after the collision between a lorry and a minibus near junction 32 westbound at 11:30 BST.
West Yorkshire Police said the 20 people were in the mini bus, and the driver of the lorry has been arrested. West Yorkshire Police said the 20 people were in the minibus, and the driver of the lorry has been arrested.
The motorway was closed but the eastbound carriageway has now reopened. The motorway was closed but both carriageways have now reopened.
Six helicopters 'Worst for years'
The women, all from South Elmsall near Wakefield, are believed to have been travelling to a hen party in Liverpool, said West Yorkshire Police.The women, all from South Elmsall near Wakefield, are believed to have been travelling to a hen party in Liverpool, said West Yorkshire Police.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service said it had put major incident procedures in place following the collision on the westbound carriageway near junction 32. Dave Walton, from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said crews from five stations attended the scene and found the minibus on its side.
"Some officers said it was the worst they had seen for a number of years," he said.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service said it had put major incident procedures in place following the collision.
Dr David Macklin, from the ambulance service, said crews were quickly on the scene and a number of bystanders also joined in the rescue operation.
"It was very difficult. We had to identify serious or life-threatening injuries and then the walking wounded," he said.
Patients were treated at the scene before being taken to hospitals including Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield and Leeds General Infirmary, the ambulance service said.Patients were treated at the scene before being taken to hospitals including Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield and Leeds General Infirmary, the ambulance service said.
Karl Milner, the executive director of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, tweeted: "[Leeds General Infirmary] major trauma centre put on alert following pile up on M62 near Castleford". At one stage six air ambulances were also at the scene, Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA) confirmed.
At one stage six air ambulances were ferrying the injured from the scene, Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA) confirmed.
Kevin Hodgson, GNAA director of operations, said the service had sent two air ambulances, which were joined by two from North West Air Ambulance and another two from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.Kevin Hodgson, GNAA director of operations, said the service had sent two air ambulances, which were joined by two from North West Air Ambulance and another two from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.
One helicopter took a casualty to Leeds General Infirmary, while another flew to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with a patient on board.One helicopter took a casualty to Leeds General Infirmary, while another flew to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with a patient on board.
'Significant delays' Ch Insp Mark Bownass, of West Yorkshire Police, said family liaison officers were now helping the victim's family.
Assistant Chief Constable Craig Guildford, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "This is a significant incident with a number of casualties and as a result of this we have had to close the motorway to allow emergency services to safely get to and free those who are injured.
"We realise this will cause disruption and I would ask drivers to bear with us and avoid the motorway in that area as there will be significant delays.
"Emergency Services remain on the scene and will reopen lanes of the M62 in the area as soon as we can do so safely, but clearly the priority at this stage has been recovering those who are injured.
"Anyone who is concerned about a family member or who has witnessed the collision itself is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101 for information."
Motorists have been urged to use the M18 or M1 instead. The westbound carriageway is not expected to reopen until 18:00 BST.
One man who was stuck in traffic on the motorway tweeted: "Nine ambulances 4 fire engines and god knows how many police cars have gone past."