A police investigation has been launched after a car 'collided with the body of a woman' on the M66.
The motorway has been closed northbound for several hours following the incident.
Police were called at 2am following reports that a vehicle crashed with a body.
When they arrived they found the body of a woman on the carriageway, a GMP spokesman said.
The road has since been closed between junction 1 and junction 3.
Detectives are investigating how the body came to be on the carriageway.
A spokesman for GMP said: "Investigative work is currently being carried out on the M66 following a collision.
"Shortly after 2am this morning, police were called to reports that a car had collided with a body on the M66 Northbound in Bury.
"Emergency services attended and sadly found the body of a woman.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish how the woman came to be in the carriageway.
"The M66 Northbound is currently closed from junction 1 to 3. Please avoid the area where possible."
Motorway police said the road is likely to remain closed for 'several hours' following the incident.
Traffic diversions are currently in place and motorists are being urged to avoid the area as they head into work.
One lane is also closed southbound to help with investigation work, Highways England tweeted.
There are currently delays of around 70 minutes in that direction.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 147 of 02/05/2019.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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