An inquest opened into the death of a man, who died after falling of a motorway bridge.

Alan Dennison, aged 55, of Park Road, Westhoughton died on October 12 this year.

Police Coroners Officer (PCO) Julie Ann Hyde of Greater Manchester Police told the opening how Mr Dennison died after falling off the St Helens Road bridge onto the M61.

Read more: Man tragically dies in M61 rush hour incident

Mr Dennison, who was unemployed, had attended Royal Bolton Hospital earlier that same day, where mental health triage had started to be undertaken.

However, he left the hospital before he could be admitted and went to the bridge.

Royal Bolton Hospital Pathologist, Dr Sawant, gave the medical cause of death as polytrauma.

Senior Coroner Timothy Brennand ordered for statements to be obtained from Mr Dennison’s GP and from Royal Bolton Hospital in relation to his earlier attendance.

He also asked for any CCTV footage retained, as well as a full police file and antecedent.

Coroner Brennand also specified that he would invite Greater Manchester Mental Health and potentially Royal Bolton Hospital as interested persons in the proceedings.

He specified the inquest would need to know what category of mental health treatment and care was being offered and prevailing at the time of Mr Dennison’s death.

He gave a deadline for all statements to be available before December 23 this year.

The full inquest is set to be heard on March 9 next year.