UPDATED: Man dead following A1 lorry smash.
Contrib
A MAN has died following a lorry smash on the A1 this morning.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed a lorry driver was pronounced dead at the scene after three HGVs and a car collided on the A1 northbound between Barnsdale Bar and Wentbridge at around 4.45am.
Insp Dorian James told a press conference held today at Ferrybridge how emergency services were called to the scene following an earlier smash.
He said: “At about 3.55am police were called to reports of a jacknifed lorry on the A1 southbound. We found a vehicle in collision with the central reservation which had damaged about 200m of barrier.
“It left the southbound carriageway and came to rest on the central reservation, protruding into lane two of the northbound carriageway.”
Insp James said the driver sustained only minor injuries and the HGV had “luckily” stayed upright following the crash.
He said while officers were dealing with the incident, they were made aware of a second incident involving three lorries about half a mile further south on the northbound carriageway.
He added: “Three HGVs in a line shunted into each other and hit a car in front. We believe they were stationary or in slow moving traffic, potentially as a result of the other incident.
“The driver of the HGV at the back was seriously injuried and was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Insp James said next of kin have been informed but his identity has not yet been released.
The A1 was closed both ways around Darrington this morning causing traffic chaos in the area.
Police investigators have finished examining the southbound incident scene and the Highways Agency hopes to reopen it at around 1.30pm.
The vehicles in the northbound incident are currently being recovered and the carriageway should be open around 3pm.
Paul Airlie, operations manager for the Highways Agency, said: “We are aware people have been stuck in traffic on their way to work and we apologise for that, but we have worked really hard and we hope to be ready for rush hour.
“We urge people to check our website or ring 0300 123 500 before travelling.”
Police are appealing for witnesses travelling in the Wentbridge area between 03.55 and 04.45 to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101 with information.
Visit www.highways.gov.uk for traffic updates.
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Weather for Wakefield
Saturday 18 May 2013
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Heavy rain
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
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