Woman dies after falling from bridge over the M61 motorway 

A woman has died after falling onto the motorway from a bridge over the M61 between Bolton and Chorley.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 11am this morning after receiving reports from those concerned about a woman’s welfare. 

The motorway was shut off both ways between Bolton in Greater Manchester and Chorley in Lancashire. All lanes have now reopened. 

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after emergency services arrived. Police investigations are ongoing. 

Lancashire Police said: ‘We were called at shortly after 11am to a report of a concern for welfare of a woman on a bridge over the M61 between Bolton and Chorley.’

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 11am before closing the M61 motorway between Bolton in Greater Manchester and Chorley in Lancashire

‘Sadly, the woman fell from the bridge a short time later and despite the best efforts of emergency crews she was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries are ongoing.’ 

The motorway was fully closed off for more than an hour following the incident, and diversion routes were put in place, according to Manchester Evening News.