M1 police death: Oldham man quizzed

A 44-YEAR-OLD Oldham man is on police bail after a police officer was killed on the M1.

Traffic officer PC Mark Goodlad (41) died when he was hit by a lorry while helping a woman whose car had broken down on the motorway near Wakefield on Monday afternoon. The Oldham driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been bailed while the police investigate.

Chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir Norman Bettison, paid tribute to the officer, saying he had made the “ultimate sacrifice” as he went to help a vulnerable motorist.

“Mark paid the ultimate sacrifice and we are all proud of him and are saddened by his loss. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Mark’s family. We shall try to be there for them as Mark was there for the public at large.”

The accident happened on the southbound carriageway after junction 39 when an articulated HGV was in collision with a marked BMW X5 police vehicle and a grey Suzuki Swift which were stationary on the hard shoulder.