Tragedy of man, 21, killed on M62 junction as coroner makes urgent calls for change

The tragic death off the M62 motorway of a young man who lost control of his car has sparked an urgent call for increased signage from a coroner.

It follows an inquest hearing into the death of 21-year-old Mason Portman in the early hours of December 17, 2023, close to a motorway slip-road between Rochdale and Huddersfield.

West Yorkshire senior coroner Martin Fleming heard Mr Portman lost control of his Seat Leon car as he exited the slip road at junction 22 on the eastbound carriageway to the M62.

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The car collided with a wooden fence and a road sign, before careering across moorland and hitting a car with nobody inside parked on a layby. The Seat is then said to have 'tumbled' across the A672 Oldham Road, where it came to rest. Sadly, Mr Portman sustained fatal injuries.

Coroner Mr Fleming has now issued a 'prevention of future deaths' report to National Highways after the inquest. The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 gives coroners the opportunity to make reports to a person, organisation, local authority or Government department or agency where they believe action should be taken to prevent future deaths.

He said he found the cause of death to be 'multiple injuries' and recorded a conclusion of 'road traffic collision'.

The report reveals a post-mortem examination found Mr Portman, from Bradford, had taken cocaine and was over the legal drink-drive limit. But Mr Fleming said he found 'matters giving rise to concern' during the inquest, prompting the report to National Highways.

He said he heard that as Mr Portman approached the slip-road 'there were no road markings or signs displayed to advise on appropriate