A large search of the River Croal in Bolton was ordered in the early hours of this morning, Sunday, after reports of a man and woman in the water.

Fire and rescue officers from Bolton North and Farnworth and a technical response unit from Leigh were sent to Churchgate at 3am to respond to the incident.

The man was able to get out of the water but suffered a head injury and concussion.

A full-scale search of the river then took place to find the woman, who was later located.

Both casualties were put in the care of the ambulance service.

Crews were on the scene until around 5am.

A spokesperson for Bolton North Fire Station said: “At 3am crews from Bolton North and Farnworth were called to a water incident as well as a technical response unit from Leigh.

“This was after reports of a man and a woman in the water at Churchgate.

“After some time, the man had got himself out of the water and he was put in the care of the North West Ambulance Service.

“He had a concussion and the woman was unaccounted for but was later found alive by the skills of the police.

“He had gone down and somehow ended up in the brook behind Churchgate, the River Croal, and damaged his head.

“He had crawled out, made his way back to the road

“Because he was unsure of the woman’s whereabouts, there was a full-scale search of the river.

“Luckily she was found and he is in the care of North West Ambulance services.

“Crews left the scene at 5am.”