A man who staggered onto the M62 covered in blood last night had been stabbed and pistol-whipped, police have confirmed.
The shocking incident happened at around 8.10pm on the hard shoulder of the motorway near Irlam, Salford, where roadworks are ongoing.
A source told the Manchester Evening News the victim, a man aged in his 30s, walked over a pedestrian bridge and approached workers for help.
They immediately raised the alarm and police and the ambulance service rushed to the scene.
The eastbound carriageway of the M62 was briefly closed while they dealt with the incident.
Police said the victim had been stabbed in the chest and hit over the head with what is believed to be a firearm.
He suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
"He asked the lads for help," the source said.
"He said he'd been stabbed and pistol-whipped and he'd ran from the Irlam estate.
"He was complaining about his ribs but was still conscious and he left blood all over a van."
The scene was cordoned off last night while police collected evidence but reopened later in the evening.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "At around 8.10pm on Monday 15 July 2019, police were called to reports of an assault between junction 11 and 12 of the M62 motorway."
"Officers attended and enquiries revealed that a man in his 30s had been stabbed in the chest and hit over the head with what is believed to be a firearm.
"The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He remains there in a stable condition.
"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5345 quoting incident number 2969 of 15/07/2019.
Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
