A MAIN road in Westhoughton has reopened after a three-car smash shut the carriageway for over four hours.

Wigan Road in Westhoughton was closed in both directions after three cars collided near Southfield Drive.

The crash took place on the bend outside the Premier shop shortly after 11.10am, and saw police, paramedics, and fire fighters rush to the scene. 

Crews were forced to remove the roof, boot, and doors of the vehicle that had smashed into the metal railings in order to rescue a woman. 

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “We were called at 11.10am to reports of a traffic collision on Wigan Road in Westhoughton. 

"Fire engines from Atherton and Bolton Central stations, and the Technical Response Unit from Leigh, were quickly at the scene and firefighters established that the incident involved three cars. 

"Working speedily and alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), crews helped one woman from one of the cars using cutting gear and other small tools. 

"GMFRS was at the scene for roughly one hour and 20 minutes.”

Two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle were spotted at the scene, with a number of police officers working to divert traffic away from the area. 

A spokeswoman for NWAS confirmed that the crews took two patients to hospital, including a woman in her early-40s who sustained a back and neck injury. 

The condition of the other person is not yet known.

Traffic was diverted down Southfield Drive and surrounding roads, including Washacre, and Broadwalk. 

The number seven bus service run by Stagecoach was also disrupted, heading via Leigh Road and Cricketers Way until the road reopened shortly before 3.30pm.