A woman who was killed in a road collision on Friday has been confirmed as 18-year-old Bethany Jones, a first year nursing student at the University.

The crash happened at approximately 11.30am, when a lorry collided with a minibus on the the M62 near Pontefract.

A total of 21 passengers on the minibus were injured in the incident, eight seriously.

The women had been on their way to Liverpool for a hen-weekend. Bride-to-be Stephanie Firth is critically ill with spinal injuries.

The driver of the lorry, believed to be a local man, has been arrested in connection with the incident, West Yorkshire Police said today.

Assistant Chief Constable Craig Guildford of the West Yorkshire Police said: “I want to pay tribute to the efforts that have been made today by colleagues in the emergency services, Highways Agency and Local Authority to what has been a major incident on our motorway network.”

“Tragically it has claimed the life of a local woman and our thoughts are with her family as specially trained officers work to support them.”

A University spokesperson told Leeds Student “It is with great sadness that the University has learnt of the death of one of our students. Our thoughts are with her family and we are offering advice and support to our staff and students at this difficult time.”

They added: “Students can contact the Student Counseling Centre on 0113 343 4107 or email stucouns@adm.leeds.ac.uk for a formal appointment.”