Mystery as woman found lying on hard shoulder of M57

An investigation has been launched after a woman was discovered lying on the hard shoulder of the M57 motorway near junction 6 in Merseyside on Monday morning.

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Police arrived at the scene after motorists reported seeing the woman close to Spencers Lane bridge on the northbound carriageway, the Liverpool Echo reports.

She was taken to hospital and received treatment for serious injuries.

The M57 was closed in both directions between junctions 6 and 7 after officers arrived at 6am but was fully reopened by 7.50am.

A police spokesman told the Sun: "Officers were called at 6am today, Monday 20th March, following reports that motorists had seen a woman lying on the hard shoulder of the motorway close to the Spencers Lane bridge on the northbound carriageway near junction 6.

"An investigation is currently underway to establish how she came to be there but it is not believed a vehicle was involved.

"She has been taken to hospital for treatment for her injuries which have been described as serious."