Van driver, 23, dies as vehicle veers off M1

The white Ford Transit left the M1 northbound motorway at Calder Grove, Wakefield at around 3am yesterday but police were not alerted until 5.30am.

Officers said the van was believed to have gone through the barrier just after junction 39.

The driver, a 23-year-old man from Leeds suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Ambulance and fire crews attended and the motorway was closed for several hours following the collision.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who was travelling on the M1 near junction 39 around 3am who may have seen the van.

Anyone with any information about the collision is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 01924 293047.