A medical incident and serious accident forced the M61, near Bolton, to close earlier today

Emergency services and traffic officers attended two incidents on the M61 this morning after reports of a serious crash and a driver having a medical episode.

The incidents, which took place between junction 3, Bolton and junction 4, Atherton, at around 10am forced the M61 to close.

The suspected medical incident between junction 4 and junction 3 was cleared by 10.20am however the serious collision wasn’t cleared until just after 11am.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Just before 10am this morning, 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.”

Read more: LIVE - M61 closed near Bolton after two separate incidents

Following the incident, there were around four miles worth of congestion in the northbound direction and less than a mile of congestion going southbound. 

The North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for further comment on both incidents.