A WOMAN has suffered serious injuries after falling from a bridge over the M61.

Police and emergency services rushed to the incident at around 3.15pm between junction 4 and 5 of the northbound carriage way, near Four Lane Ends.

The motorway was closed in both directions while the police and paramedics dealt with the situation and a woman was taken to Salford Royal hospital in an ambulance.

An air ambulance was also sent to the scene, landing in a nearby field.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called to the Newbrook Road area of Bolton at 3.15pm in relation to reports of a person who had fallen from a bridge on to the carriageway below.

"Police and ambulance attended and a female was taken to hospital with serious injuries."

Following the incident traffic was held in both directions, with Highways England reporting congestion tailing back 1.1 miles.

However, all northbound and southbound lanes have now reopened.

A Highways England spokesman said: "This is a police led incident with Greater Manchester Police and North West Motorway Police groups on scene.

"One person was injured in the incident and they have been taken to hospital."