A woman was found walking on a motorway with a four-year-old child in her arms in what could have ended in tragedy.
Around 11 phone calls were made to police after concerned motorists spotted the female carrying the youngster on the M62 in Hartshead, West Yorkshire.
The pair, who were almost struck by a car, were then found by emergency services and taken to safety.
PC Dave Cant, from West Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Unit, said on Twitter that the female and child were asylum seekers in need of help.
He tweeted: "Responded in terrible conditions to reports of a female carrying a child #M62 #Hartshead .
"11 calls made to @WYP_Contact saying the female was nearly stuck by vehicles. Female and 4 year old child found by colleagues at the Services.
"Asylum seekers in need of help. Sad."
One person replied: "So sad but could have ended very differently..."
Another added: "Must have been pretty horrific for them in that weather , in the dark and all that traffic flying past. Glad it ended safely."
And a third said: "That stretch of road is so fast too. That is incredibly sad, a 4 year old little child at Christmas too."
West Yorkshire Police has been contacted for a comment.
