RUSH-HOUR traffic ground to a halt after an man was found slumped in the road, sparking a police investigation.

The 49-year-old man was found unconscious in Halliwell Road, Halliwell, at around 3am yesterday.

Police initially believed the man could have been the victim of an attack and launched an inquiry and an appeal for witnesses.

Another theory was that he had suffered from a fit and collapsed, hitting his head on the road.

The road was sealed off while forensic officers combed the scene for clues. Vehicles were diverted away from the scene on the busy main road, causing huge lines of traffic and rush-hour delays.

The road was only partially re-opened to one lane at 9am.

Police were also at a loss to identify the man and issued an appeal for help.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital for treatment for a fractured skull.

However, he regained consciousness and confirmed to detectives that he had fallen and hit his head.

He was in a critical condition in hospital last night.

Detective Sergeant Michael Gladwin, from Bolton CID, said: "There are no longer any suspicious circumstances and there is no danger to the man’s life.”