A MOTORCYCLIST has suffered serious head injuries in a crash on a motorway bridge.

The incident happened in Manchester Road, Walmersley, close to junction 1 of the M66, at about 4.45pm.

An air ambulance was called to the scene as well as a two rapid response vehicles and a regular ambulance.

The male driver was then taken to Salford Royal Hospital.

Manchester Road was closed in both directions as well as the northbound exit slip road at junction one of the M66.

The road reopened again shortly before 8pm.

Resident Jed Birch, who saw the incident, said: “It was carnage. There were two off-road motorcyclists involved.

“One of the men was off his bike on the wrong side of the road and someone was attending to him.

“Lots of members of the public had stopped to help.”

A police spokesman said: "There has been a crash involving a motorcyclist.

"At this time, it is unclear what has caused that other than excessive speed.

"One rider has got what we believe to be a serious head injury.

"An air ambulance is also on the scene."