A man was rescued near a river earlier today as police and firefighters blocked off a major road.

Emergency services arrived on the scene off Hall Lane, Little Lever at around 5.30pm on Saturday June 8.

They found a man in need of rescuing close to the River Croal.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Just after 5.30pm on Saturday June 8, fire crews were called to support Greater Manchester Police with a rescue of person incident on Hall Lane, Bolton.

“Fire engines from Bolton Central and Farnworth stations, along with the technical rescue unit from Leigh and the water incident unit from Eccles, were quickly mobilised to the incident.

“Firefighters assisted officers from GMP in bringing the man to safety.

“Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service crews were in attendance for about an hour.”

Hall Lane remained closed until around 6.20pm when the emergency services began to leave and the road was reopened soon after. 

Firefighters in the River CroalFirefighters in the River Croal (Image: Public)

A group of firefighters were seen in the river in a canoe, but this appears to have been simply a precautionary measure.

No other members of the public are believed to have been involved in the incident.

No injuries or threats to the public have been reported. 

The road was reopened later in the eveningThe road was reopened later in the evening (Image: Public)

A witness said: “I saw them blocking the road. It seemed to be back to normal by about 6.20pm.

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"So they looked to have been in attendance for about an hour."

He added: “I heard the response car come through a bit earlier and I knew it was a serious incident because I saw the incident commander had turned up.”

He said he saw at least five police cars were seen in the area around Hall Lane, which is close to Little Lever School, as well as fire engines and an ambulance.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “At around 5pm yesterday, June 8, police were called to reports of a concern for welfare of a male on Hall Lane in Little Lever, Bolton.

"Police attended and a 17-year-old male was taken to hospital.”