A man has tragically died after suffering a 'medical episode' behind the wheel of his car on the M61.

Police said that his car collided with the central reservation barrier on Tuesday morning.

He had been travelling northbound on the M61, approaching junction four when he suffered a medical episode.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “A male driver has been travelling northbound on the M61 approaching junction 4.

“He is believed to have suffered a medical episode behind the wheel and collided with the central reservation barrier.

“He was unfortunately pronounced deceased by paramedics.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Just before 10am on Tuesday, November 15, two fire engines from Farnworth fire station along with two Technical Response Units from Leigh were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a vehicle hitting the central reservation on M61 North motorway, near Farnworth.

 “The crews arrived quickly at the scene and worked to make the area safe. Firefighters used a longboard to rescue one man from the vehicle, who was then taken to hospital by colleagues from North West Ambulance Service.

“Firefighters were in attendance for around forty minutes."