A MAN in his 60s has died after being hit by a lorry near Wyke today.

Police and ambulance services, including a Yorkshire Air Ambulance, were called to the incident in Whitehall Road at about 11am.

The male, believed to be in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

The incident led to a major road closure, between Chain Bar and the Westfield Lane junction, while officers carried out investigations.

The road has since reopened.

Police say the Coroner has been notified of the man's death.

The crash took place on a rural stretch of national speed limit road between the M606 and Wyke.

The air ambulance landed on a nearby field, and one witness said they saw paramedics performing CPR on the man.

They said the vehicle involved appeared to be a tanker.

The stretch of road was closed for around three hours, leading to major delays, and Branch Road, leading to neighbouring Scholes, was blocked off by a police car.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I got back and heard about the crash. I asked an officer if it was bad and they said 'as bad as it can get.'"

Police have urged anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward.

They should contact Kirklees CID Sergeant Pete Usher on 101, quoting log number 462 of March 1.