POLICE have successfully talked down a young man who was threatening to jump off a bridge and onto the M60 at junction 17 at Prestwich.

The M60 was closed in both directions by police after the man was seen on the wrong side of the bridge's railings at about 5.25pm.

It was reopened at about 9pm after the man was rescued safely.

Police had been negotiating with him for more than three hours after he was spotted by motorists on the wrong side of the bridge's railings, over the carriageway. 

North West Motorway Police tweeted at 7.57pm: "We would like to thank all the motorists stuck in traffic at J16/17 M60.

"We are looking for a swift conclusion and are working very hard alongside the Higways Agency and police negotiator. Please bear with us. Thank you."

A GMP spokesman confirmed that negotiations had been successful at about 8.50pm. 

Rush-hour commuters in the area are being warned to expect delays, with congestion reported all the way back to junction 7 at Stretford.

Traffic is being diverted on both the entry and exit slip roads at the M60's junction with the A56 through Prestwich and Whitefield.

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