Emergency services closed Oldham Street in Northern Quarter, Manchester, and asked people to avoid the area. A man fell unwell in a crane and has since been brought down and taken to hospital.

       It is unclear if he was injured. The city centre road remained closed until around noon as emergency services debriefed.

       A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We were called at around 9.15am this morning (17 September) following reports that a man had fallen ill while inside a crane on Oldham Street, Manchester.

       "Emergency services are attending and police are assisting with road closures."

       Photos shared by Manchester Evening News (MEN) show at least three fire engines at the scene of the emergency. Ambulances are also pictured at the scene.

       MEN reporter Ethan Davies said it was a large operation to free the stricken man.

       "It seems there’s an ongoing effort to extract the man from his cab - with emergency workers on the platform," the journalist tweeted as the rescue operation took place.

       Another tweet reads: "From what we can see, it appears the man has been placed on the platform of the crane."

       The man in the crane was eventually lowered to the ground using a pulley system.

       Buses in and out the city centre have been diverted.

       Transport for Greater Manchester tweeted: "Oldham Street, Manchester City Centre. Currently blocked due to an ongoing incident.

       "Please avoid the area and seek an alternative route. Bus services will be diverted #StagecoachGM #FirstManchester #gnwbus."