A man was killed after his motorcycle smashed into the side of a van in Bradford.

The accident, which left the Honda motorbike twisted and crumpled, happened on Thornton Road at the junction with Leaventhorpe Lane near Thornton Upper School.

The 21-year-old from Bradford was pronounced dead at the scene and a second person on the bike was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary with broken legs.

The motorcyclists are believed to have crashed into a red Nissan flatback van at about 1.10pm on Saturday.

One motorist, who did not want to be named, said traffic had slowed down to let the van out of the junction. "The van was coming across the road and the motorcycle just went straight into him.

"I didn't see anything but the man in the car in front said the bike was just going too fast and went round the traffic island on the wrong side."

The bike ended up near a dark green Citroen Xantia at the junction. A witness was also taken to hospital, thought to be suffering from shock.

Thornton Road was closed to traffic while the accident was cleared.

Brenda Lee, who lives near the junction on Thornton Road, said: "I just heard the bang and called the ambulance straight away.

"Since I've lived here I've phoned 999 a dozen times. They come up the road at such a speed. Something's got to be done, it's just ridiculous. It's the second fatal accident I know of."

Thornton Upper School pupil Naomi Offord, 16, said speed on Thornton Road was a real problem. "A month ago a friend of mine got knocked down here and broke her pelvis and dislocated her shoulder. My little brother goes to the school - it's really worrying."

Meanwhile, police are appealing for witnesses after a man leapt to his death from a footbridge on the M62 near Brighouse.

The man, who has not been identified, collided with a Mercedes-Benz lorry on the eastbound carriageway of the motorway between junctions 24 and 25 at 9.53pm yesterday. He was described as white, about 25-years-old, 5ft 8in tall and of slim build. He had short, cropped, dark hair and wore a red, black and light blue banded jumper and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Wakefield police on (01924) 293035.