AN investigation is underway into a serious car smash in Moss Bank Way.

Police shut one carriageway of Moss Bank Way, between Halliwell Road and Captain's Clough Road, after a motorist lost control and veered off the carriageway.

Emergency services were alerted just before 2.30pm today after a Peugeot 307 veered off the carriageway, over the crash barrier hitting a tree.

The man, understood to be his 40s, was freed by firefighters from Bolton North before being taken to the trauma until at Salford Royal with facial injuries, as well as suspected head and spinal injuries.

Crew manager at Bolton North said: "We got him out of the vehicle through the rear of the car and he was treated by paramedics.

"He was breathing and conscious."

North West Ambulance Service sent a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and also the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) which are sent to help fire crews as they work to free casualties.

A spokesman said: "We were called at 2.27pm and arrived at 2.32pm.

"The male, in his 40s, was taken to hospital."

Police said that an investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched.

The road is still shut at its junction with Captain's Clough Road, Moss Bank Way, eastwards while officers carried out their investigations.

A police spokesman said: "We are called at 2.35pm to the one car collision.

"The car went through the crash barrier and hit a tree. He was taken to hospital with facial injuries and a suspected spinal injuries."