A stretch of a busy road in Manchester has been cordoned off after a serious incident involving a police officer.
Ashton Old Road is currently closed in both directions, according to traffic alert service Inrix. It is shut between Pottery Lane and Stainforth Street, with the junction with Alan Turing Way also closed.
In a statement, GMP said: "Emergency services are responding to a serious road traffic collision involving a police vehicle and a van on Ashton Old Road.
"The rider of a police motorcycle has suffered serious injuries and has been taken to the hospital for treatment. Alan Turing Way has been closed while emergency services deal with the incident.
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"The driver of the van, a 60-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has been taken into custody."
Inrix is reporting heavy traffic in the area due to the closure. Cars are being diverted away from the closure, with a Stagecoach bus service also on a diversion route.
A post on X from Stagecoach said: "Route 219. Diversion in both directions via Pottery Lane, Hyde Road and Devonshire Street.
"This is due to a Police incident on Ashton Old Road. Sorry if this is affecting your journey with us today."
The road was reopened at around 10.30pm.
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates.
Key Events
Full story on this incident
A police officer has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being knocked off a motorbike by a van on a busy road in Manchester.
The smash happened on Ashton Old Road, close to the junction of Alan Turing Way, at around 9am this morning (Friday). Greater Manchester Police said emergency services responded to a crash between a police motorbike and a van.
"I could tell it was serious"
Residents speak to Maisie on the scene on Ashton Old Road.
A resident who lives on Ashton Old Road said she ‘couldn’t believe it’ when she heard a collision noise earlier this morning- “I heard it and thought something bad has happened out there”@MENnewsdesk
— Maisie Grice (@grice_maisie) June 21, 2024
A man who was out running this morning recalled seeing the incident: “I saw I couldn’t run down there and then just saw loads of police blocking the road. I could tell it was a serious incident just because of the amount of police.” @MENnewsdesk
— Maisie Grice (@grice_maisie) June 21, 2024
Ashton Old Road reopened
Officers have now reopened Ashton Old Road, our reporter Maisie says from the scene.
The road has now been reopened by police @MENnewsdesk
— Maisie Grice (@grice_maisie) June 21, 2024
Pictures from the scene this morning
Here's how the scene looks on Ashton Old Road this morning.
Vehicle recovery truck on the scene
A vehicle recovery struck is on the scene on Ashton Old Road.
A vehicle recovery truck is also on scene @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/2SoFRgSoUB
— Maisie Grice (@grice_maisie) June 21, 2024
Our reporter Maisie is on the scene
Maisie has sent this photo from the scene on Ashton Old Road.
I’m here on Ashton Old Road where a crash has caused the road to be shut to traffic @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/7NiIz75pKc
— Maisie Grice (@grice_maisie) June 21, 2024
GMP statement: Police officer rushed to hospital after motorbike crash - with van driver arrested
In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said:
"Emergency services are responding to a serious road traffic collision involving a police vehicle and a van on Ashton Old Road.
"The rider of a police motorcycle has suffered serious injuries and has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
"Alan Turing Way has been closed while emergency services deal with the incident.
"The driver of the van, a 60-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has been taken into custody."
Road remains shut in both directions
Ashton Old Road remains closed off this morning.
It is shut in both directions from Pottery Lane to Stainforth Street.
Stagecoach bus diverting away from Ashton Old Road
The 219 is on a diversion route this morning.
Route 219. Diversion in both directions via London Road, Ardwick Green South, Hyde Road and Devonshire Street. This is due to a Police incident on Ashton Old Road. Sorry if this is affecting your journey with us today. pic.twitter.com/v76se8fZcP
— Stagecoach Manchester (@StagecoachGM) June 21, 2024
GMP confirm officers are responding to a serious crash
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson has confirmed that officers are on the scene this morning.
They are responding to a serious crash.
No further details have been released at this stage, but we should get more soon.
