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.

The officer riding the bike was taken to hospital from the scene as police cordoned off the road. They suffered 'serious injuries'.

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The driver of the van - a 60-year-old man - was arrested on the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has been taken into custody for questioning.

A number of police vehicles were pictured within the cordon as the road was taped off from Pottery Lane and Stainforth Street. Ashton Old Road was reopened at around 10.30am.

Officers closed off Ashton Old Road
Officers closed off Ashton Old Road

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."

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