A LARGE number of emergency services surrounded the Silver Jubilee Bridge last night, Friday, following reports of a person in the Manchester Ship Canal.

The bridge was also closed in both directions as a result of the incident.

Cheshire Police, the North West Ambulance Service, Coastguard and Cheshire Fire and Rescue attended at around 10.43pm last night, Friday.

The fire service also had a search and rescue boat and a specialist rope unit at the scene while a police helicopter circled above using a spotlight.

The person was retrieved from the water and handed into the care of paramedics.

At the time, a Cheshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “Firefighters are assisting emergency services partner agencies and the coastguard following reports of an individual in the water in the Manchester Ship Canal near the Silver Jubilee Bridge in Runcorn.

“Crews used a rescue boat to enter the water to search for and locate the individual, before using a rescue sled and rope rescue equipment to retrieve the person from the water and hand them to the care of paramedics.”

Waterloo Road, near the Runcorn Bridge, was cordoned off at the time while emergency services dealt with the incident.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson added: “At 22:43 on Friday 20 May, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to assist emergency service partner agencies in the rescue of an individual in the water in the Manchester Ship Canal, near to the Silver Jubilee Bridge in Runcorn.

“Five fire engines were in attendance at the scene; from Runcorn, Widnes, Penketh, Warrington and Lymm, as well as a rescue boat and rope rescue unit.”