A WOMAN has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after falling from a motorway bridge.

The woman, who is believed to be in her mid-40s, was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary after falling from a bridge over the M56.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 1.45pm today.

An air ambulance, two road ambulances, advance paramedic, rapid response vehicle and a scene commander attended from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

Police shut the westbound carriageway of the Sharston Link road between Junctions 1 and 2.

A spokeswoman for the NWAS said: "We were called shortly before 1.45pm.

"A woman in her mid-40s was taken to hospital with serious injuries."

Officers were called to the incident at about 1.50pm this afternoon.

Drivers were advised to avoid the area and a number of bus services were also diverted.

Highways England tweeted that the incident has now been dealt with and the M56 has been reopened.