Police appeal after motorway tragedy

POLICE today appealed for witnesses of a tragic incident on the M62 near Warrington in which a man fell to his death from a bridge.
The man was airlifted to hospital by helicopter but died from his injuries after the incident on Saturday evening, October 23.
A number of motorists had called police about the man’s behaviour before the tragedy and the motorway matrix were activated to slow traffic to 20mph.
As police patrols arrived the Holcroft Lane bridge over the motorway, near Culcheth, a man was seen to lean backwards from the bridge parapet and fall on to the east bound carriageway.
A police spokeswoman said initial reports received by police in Manchester suggested a man had been seen attempting to lie down on the carriageway and had then been seen to get into a car and drive westbound along the M62 before pulling onto the hard shoulder just before Junction 11 at Birchwood.
He was then seen to climb the embankment.
The deceased – who has not yet been named – is understood to be a 40 year old man from the Wigan area. His family have been notified.
Cheshire Police are asking motorists who may have seen the incident to contact DC Tracy Earley of Warrington CID on 0845 458 0000.