A 48 YEAR-OLD man remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a collision between two HGV's on the M62 yesterday afternoon.

The incident took place around 2.30pm, and involved two red Volvo HGV cab units, which were travelling in the same direction.

Police said initial enquiries had suggested that one of the HGV cabs had collided with the rear of the second one, causing both to cross the central reservation and enter the eastbound carriageway of the motorway.

M62 CRASH DRIVER HAS 'LIFE-THREATENING' INJURIES AFTER LORRIES GO THROUGH CENTRAL RESERVATION

The 48 year-old was driving the lead HGV cab, and was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary due to the serious nature of his injuries.

The other driver received treatment for minor injuries at Oldham Royal Infirmary.

Due to extensive damage to the central reservation, specialist teams had to be deployed from the Highways Agency to assist in the recovery of the HGV’s.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place between Junction 23 at Outlane, and Junction 22 at Saddleworth.

The westbound carriageway remained closed for several hours into the evening, with traffic queuing back to Junction 26 at Chain Bar, and delays affecting many other routes out of Bradford.

Police Constable Nigel Fawcett-Jones, of the Western Area Safer Roads and Neighbourhood Support Unit, said: "Enquiries are ongoing today in what was a major incident on the M62 which caused severe delays on the network.

"Both vehicles involved in the collision were distinctive Volvo red-cabbed units with no body work, which were travelling on trade plates to have tipper bodies fitted.

"I would like to speak to anyone who saw the manner in which the lorries were being driven prior to the collision, or who saw the collision itself."

"This was clearly a large incident which required extensive collision investigation work at the scene, and also painstaking work to remove the vehicles.

"The re-opening of the motorway was also delayed due to specialist teams from the Highways Agency having to attend to release the tension in the wire rope barrier prior to recovery taking place."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Western Area Safer Roads Team on 101.