A man was rescued from the River Irwell in Radcliffe today, Saturday, after a large emergency services response, including an air ambulance helicopter.

Police were sent to Dale Street at around 1.20pm after reports of a concern for welfare of a man.

And Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said they were called just before 2pm after reports of a man "in the water" near Pilkington Way. 

An air ambulance and paramedics were also called to help and firefighters worked with their emergency services colleagues to move the man to safety.

A GMFRS spokesperson said: “Just before 2pm this afternoon (Saturday), two fire engines from Bury Central and Whitefield fire station along with the water incident unit from Heywood and technical response unit from Ashton were called to reports of a person in the water near Pilkington Way, Radcliffe.

“Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters used a technical rescue stretcher, long board and rope to move a man from the water’s edge and worked with colleagues from North West Ambulance Service and the air ambulance to treat the man at the scene, before he was taken to the hospital.

“Firefighters were in attendance for around one hour.”

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A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson added: "At around 1.20pm on Saturday, officers were called to reports of a concern for welfare of a man on Dale Street, Radcliffe.

"Emergency services attended and located the male, he has been taken to hospital for treatment.

"Enquiries are ongoing at this stage."