The M62 was closed in both directions earlier today (Sunday, November 18) due to a police incident at Scammonden Bridge.

Both carriageways were closed on the approach to the bridge after reports of a man falling shortly before 11am.

The westbound carrigeway reopened less than an hour later, while the eastbound carriageway remained closed for almost two hours before reopening at around 12:30pm.

West Yorkshire Police later confirmed that a man died in the incident.

We'll bring you all the latest updates on this ongoing incident throughout the day in our live blog, so stick with us for the latest information.

If you have any pictures or information of the extent of the traffic that you would like to share, send a message to us on 07786313491.

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More on police confirmation

Here’s the full story after police confirmed a man died in this morning’s incident on the M62.

Scammonden Road Bridge over the M62 at Scammonden.
Scammonden Road Bridge over the M62 at Scammonden.
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Traffic moving freely

Here’s a look at how things are right now.

On the left, traffic is seen to be moving freely towards Manchester.

The eastbound carriageway on the right, which was chock-a-block not too long ago, is now back to normal.

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All lanes have reopened

The incident has cleared and all lanes on the eastbound carriageway have now reopened too.

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Man who fell from bridge has died

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the man who fell from Scammonden Bridge has died as a result of his injuries.

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Drivers remain in traffic

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Big queues remain eastbound

This is how things are looking at junction 22 on the M62 right now.

Two lanes have reopened to allow traffic to pass, but that means that two lanes are still closed - leading to lots of congestion further back along the motorway.

Queues on M62 eastbound at junction 22
Queues on M62 eastbound at junction 22
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Further delays at Ripponden Road crossroads

Justine has been back in touch to say:

Looks like the junction at Ripponden Road crossroads has been causing a backlog (one hour to get through).

A car has gone off the kerb there too and is hanging off, so it is causing chaos there.

The A640 from Huddersfield into Denshaw is still at a standstill - but it’s moving freely towards Huddersfield as least now!

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Photo looking towards Scammonden Bridge from Outlane

This is the current state of the M62 at Scammonden Bridge.

  • On the left is the westbound carriageway heading from Leeds to Manchester. It is now fully open and there are no traffic problems.
  • On the right is the eastbound carriageway heading towards Leeds. All three lanes are extremely slow moving as Highways England are only allowing limited traffic through at the moment.
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Taking the scenic route

Yes, plenty of people are stuck in traffic... but it’s not all bad!

Catherine’s been in touch to tell us about the ‘lovely scenic route’ that she’s taken after being diverted off at junction 22!

It’s a lovely scenic route, but then I hit traffic at Denshaw before going into the A640 onto Huddersfield Road.

The scenic route taken by LeedsLive reader Catherine following the closure of the M62
The scenic route taken by LeedsLive reader Catherine following the closure of the M62 (Image: Catherine, LeedsLive reader)
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Julie: 'Traffic moving slowly'

Another LeedsLive reader, Julie, has just been in touch with us to say:

The incident on the M62 eastbound has cleared and the traffic is moving, albeit slowly.

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Eastbound carriageway reopens

Great news if you’re heading towards Leeds - but this is going to take some time.

Two lanes will remain closed and traffic will be slowly allowed to start moving again on the eastbound carriageway.

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Sam: 'Westbound traffic still slow'

Although the westbound carriageway was reopened almost an hour ago, LeedsLive reader Sam has been in touch to tell us there are still delays of more than 20 minutes.

They’re still stuck in slow-moving traffic.

Sam sent in this photo of the slow-moving traffic on the westbound carriageway of the M62
Sam sent in this photo of the slow-moving traffic on the westbound carriageway of the M62 (Image: Sam, LeedsLive reader)
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Update from LeedsLive reader Justine

Justine has been in touch with us to say:

Traffic is being diverted on A629 from M62 eastbound.

It’s bumper to bumper by Clough Manor right now in stop start traffic.

We are dropping down into Denshaw but not even crossed Oldham Road yet.

We’ve been sitting here for about 20 minutes and we can just see traffic ahead that’s hardly moving.

Photo sent in from LeedsLive reader Justine of the traffic on the A629 near Denshaw
Photo sent in from LeedsLive reader Justine of the traffic on the A629 near Denshaw (Image: Justine, LeedsLive reader)
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Where to get help

Amidst everything that’s happening this morning, it’s important to remember that help is out there if you need it.

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10-minute journey taking almost an hour and a half

Travelling eastbound from junction 21 to junction 24 would usually take around 10 minutes with no traffic.

But instead, it will take drivers almost an hour and a half to get from Milnrow to Ainley Top once they’ve snaked their way along the diversion route.

If you’re stuck in the traffic jam, be prepared to be sat in your car for quite a while longer!

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Diversion route in full

People travelling eastbound on the M62 are being diverted off at junction 22 and taken through:

  • Rishworth
  • Ripponden
  • Sowerby Bridge
  • Elland

Drivers are being told to follow the hollow black circle on a yellow background on the following roads:

  • A672
  • A58
  • A6142
  • A58
  • A646
  • A629

They’ll then be brought back onto the motorway at junction 24.

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What we know so far

  • The emergency services were called to the scene to reports that a man had fallen from a bridge
  • A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said they were alerted at 10:56am
  • The motorway was closed in both directions to allow the air ambulance to land
  • The westbound carriageway reopened shortly before 11:45am
  • The eastbound carriageway remains closed
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Westbound carriageway reopens

Traffic should be flowing normally in the westbound carriageway shortly after it was reopened.

Of course, there’ll be some residual traffic as the queue starts moving once again, but it shouldn’t take too long for normal service to resume.

If you’re travelling west though, you’re still in a bit of a pickle.

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Westbound carriageway reopening

Well this is good news.

The westbound carriageway looks like it’ll be reopening.

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Get in touch

If you’re stuck in the traffic jam, send us your photos from where you are.

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Three miles of traffic jams

The queues are already starting to build up in both directions on the M62.

The congestion is tailing back three miles from junction 22 on the eastbound carriageway.

There is a also a three-mile queue from junction 24 on the westbound carriageway, where cars are being diverted of the motorway.

The traffic is tailing back for three miles on both carriageways
The traffic is tailing back for three miles on both carriageways (Image: Google Maps)
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Diversion routes

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Traffic being diverted off motorway

Eastbound traffic is being diverted off the M62 at junction 22.

Eastbound traffic is being diverted off the motorway at junction 22
Eastbound traffic is being diverted off the motorway at junction 22
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'Full closure' of M62

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M62 to be closed for some time

Highways England have tweeted to say that the road will be closed ‘for some time’.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance are heading to the scene along with police and paramedics.

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