POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man died just off the M62 this morning.

At 6.15am, officers received a report that a black Seat Leon had been found in a ditch near Rishworth, off the A672 Oldham Road at junction 22 of the M62.

A man found nearby was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene. The man, who is understood to have links to the Bradford area, has not been named by police as yet, but wellwishers have been paying tribute on social media.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A section of road that was closed after the fatal collison A section of road that was closed after the fatal collison (Image: Google streetview)

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "The man's family has been informed and will be offered support by specially trained officers.

"The Major Collision Enquiry Team would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it.

"Motorists who were in the area who have dash cams are asked to check them to see if they have captured any part of this incident."

Anyone with any information should contact police by calling 101, quoting log 385 of December 17.

According to travel monitoring site Inrix, the A672 Oldham Road remains closed both ways due to police investigation work between junction 22 of the M62 and the Turnpike restaurant at Pike End Road.

All slips to and from the M62 are also closed.

Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes at this time.