LOCAL people were swift to offer condolences after a man’s body was found on a local lay-by.

Facebook pages were filled with messages of shock and sadness from people who learned about the Monday morning incident.

Several had passed the scene of the incident on the A629 Aire Valley Road between Steeton and Kildwick on Monday morning without realising.

A passing motorist had seen the man lying motionless near his parked heavy goods vehicle in the middle layby on the stretch of road from Kildwick to the Silsden/Steeton roundabout.

He called police at about 11.55am, and as the ambulance arrived another passing motorist – who later wrote of his experience on Facebook – saw the body.

A police spokesman said: “The male, who is believed to be in his sixties, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“Enquiries are continuing, but his death is not believed to be suspicious.”

David Mullen, chairman of Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council, this week expressed his condolences to the family.

Cllr Andrew Mallinson, who represents the area on Bradford Council, said: "Obviously this will be a tragedy for the man's family at any time, but especially on the run-up to Christmas. My deepest sympathies are with them."

The company which operates the lorry cab, Doncaster-based Emms and Son Limited, this week declined to comment on the incident, adding: “We don’t know anything ourselves.”

Writing on a local page, one Facebook user said: “Poor bloke, although he had the sense to pull his wagon over if he felt unwell. Thoughts with him and his family whoever and wherever they are.”