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The driver of a HGV was killed after the pile-up just before 1.30am.

Emergency services were called to a stretch between junctions 46 and 47 of the M1 southbound near Cross Gates.

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A Fiat Punto is believed to have lost control and came to rest across the main carriageway.

A lorry driver behind the car managed to stop and avoid the car, however was hit from the back by a second HGV.

The driver of the second lorry was killed.

One eyewitness descrtibed "carnage" at the scene.

Tailbacks as far back as junction 41 of the M1 carried on well into the morning with the motorway closed and commuters facing jams as late as 7.30am.

The northbound carriageway was expected to re-open at around 8am. The southbound side remained closed well into the morning.

Fire crews from Rothwell, Hunslet and Gipton stations were among the emergency services called to the scene.

A team member at Rothwell station said the two HGV lorries had run into
each other and the impact was so great they were "like one big lorry".

One man has been arrested and traffic police are continuing to investigate.