Railway bosses have expressed their anger after a van got stuck under a bridge causing delays in Wigan.
The vehicle became wedged under a clearly marked 'Low bridge' on Prescott Street at around 12pm, eyewitnesses said.
It is said to have briefly brought traffic in the area just outside the town centre to a standstill as passage under the bridge is single lane only with traffic lights either side.
A crowd is said to have gathered as the driver tried to free himself.
A structural engineer was dispatched to examine the bridge but no serious damage had been caused.
There were minor delays on the network whilst the examinations were carried out but services resumed as normal 45 minutes later.
However Network Rail hit out saying incidents like this are hugely disruptive and "completely avoidable."
The Manchester Piccadilly branch of the organisation which manage the network said on Twitter: "Bridge bashes get us seriously peeved."
"They delay train passengers and motorists. And they’re completely avoidable.
"Drivers - please KNOW the height of your vehicles. Don’t just guess."
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A spokeswoman added: "Bridge strikes are entirely avoidable, cost taxpayers millions of pounds and cause delays to tens of thousands of rail passengers every year.
"Lorries can’t limbo.
"Drivers need to know the height of their vehicle and not guess."
