Horse rescued after M62 fire drama

The owner managed to lead the animal through a gap at the side of the motorway and into a wood.

The incident happened on the eastbound carriageway between Harsthead Moor services and Junction 26 at Cleckheaton at 3.17pm today (Saturday).

Firefighters from Cleckheaton, Brighouse and Elland were called to tackle the blaze which engulfed 80 per cent of the vehicle and destroyed it.

Parts of the motorway were closed briefly twice.

Cleckheaton watch commander Damian Cameron: said: “There was one horse in the vehicle. The owner was able to get the back door of the horse box open.

“He managed to get the horse through a gap in the barrier and managed to get into a wood at the side of the motorway out of the way of the vehicles.”

He said there was thick black smoke blowing across the carriageway but the Highways Agency quickly closed parts of the motorway, which allowed firefighters to put water down to stop the smoke.

Two lanes were kept open but the motorway was closed again for few minutes to allow a second horse box access to collect the horse.