A MAN was taken to hospital with serious injuries after being found lying at the side of the M65 motorway.

The man, who is in his 50s, was found conscious and breathing on the hard shoulder close to the Guide turn-off at junction five shortly after 10am yesterday.

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He was taken to Preston Royal Hospital by the North West Ambulance Service.

Police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious and that it was believed that he jumped from a nearby bridge.

The North West Motorway Police introduced road blocks around the section of road before the man was taken to hospital. The incident caused major tailbacks on the west-bound carriageway.

Inspector Jon Cisco said: “At this particular time the incident is not being treated as suspicious. We are looking into how the man came to be at the side of the motorway and the reasons for him being there.”

Driver Michael Simpson said: “I was caught in the traffic for ages while the emergency services were dealing with the incident. I had no idea what was going on at the time.

“At first I thought that it had been a crash because of the bad weather. I hope that the man is receiving the right treatment and that he will make a full recovery.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at shortly after 10am to reports that a man had been found lying next to the carriageway at junction five of the west bound M65.

“The man, believed to be in his 50s, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital with serious injuries.

“The man is believed to have jumped from a bridge over the motorway and landed on a grass verge next to the road.”