A man is in a critical condition in hospital after being dragged along a motorway while trying to stop someone stealing his van.

The 28-year-old driver pulled over his Volkswagen Caddy on the Warrington sliproad of the M602 near Salford at about 8.30am on Sunday after seeing a lorry had overturned.

But as he left his own vehicle to offer help, leaving the keys in the ignition, the lorry driver climbed into the van and drove off as the man clung on.

He was dragged for some distance along the road before falling and sustaining serious head injuries, Greater Manchester police said.

A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody, but the van has not been recovered.

Det Sgt Julie Connor from Salford CID said: “The injured man is in a critical condition at hospital. We are keen to trace anyone who witnessed this incident and to recover the stolen VW Caddy van registration number DY14 FPN.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester police.