Four men have died and five other people are injured following a serious crash between a taxi and another car in the early hours of this morning.
The collision, which involved a Citroen C4 Picasso private hire vehicle and a Seat Leon, occurred around 12.45am on Wigan Road, in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Residents reported hearing a ‘very loud bang’ and seeing emergency services performing CPR on injured passengers on the roadside.
Both drivers were killed, along with two passengers who were travelling in the red Seat vehicle.
Shocking CCTV from a nearby property showed the Seat apparently travelling at high speed on the wrong side of the 30mph road, before smashing head-on into the taxi, which was driving in the opposite direction.
After the impact, the Seat span across the road, sending debris flying, before hitting a parked car and coming to a stop.
Police said the deceased included three teenagers, aged 18 or 19, and a man in his 50’s, thought to be the taxi driver, although they stressed formal identification had not yet taken place.
Another five passengers were taken to hospital, where they are currently being treated.
Today a large cordon remained in place as officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit launched an inquiry.
Pictures of both vehicles being removed from the scene revealed they had been left badly damaged, with the front end of one of the cars all but destroyed.
Rumours circulating on social media that the crash was the result of a police chase, however, were quickly debunked by local politicians.
Councillor Ayyub Patel, who represents Rumworth ward, said: ‘I have spoken directly with officers, who have confirmed that no police or other authorities were involved.
‘This was an unfortunate and deeply distressing incident, resulting in fatalities and a number of injuries.
‘My heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones affected, and my thoughts remain with all those impacted.
‘I ask the community to allow the investigation to proceed and to avoid speculation during this difficult time.’
One local said: ‘I can’t believe it. I heard the loudest bang and I saw them doing CPR on the person who was in the car accident.
‘I saw the taxi driver’s passenger, a woman get out the taxi and there were two other people who were in the taxi unconscious.’
Another told the Manchester Evening News that the main thoroughfare is plagued with speeding motorists and crashes were common. They described the scene, which was strewn with debris, as ‘an absolute mess.’
A spokesman for GMP said: ‘At around 12.45am, officers attended Wigan Road, Bolton where a red Seat Leon was travelling down the road and collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso.
‘The driver of the Seat, and two passengers have tragically died following the collision.
‘The driver of the Citroen was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
‘Five injured passengers have been taken to hospital, where they are currently being treated.
‘A scene is still in place at this time as officers continue their investigation.’
Officers appealed for anyone who witnessed the Seat before the collision, the crash itself or anyone with dashcam or CCTV of the incident to get in touch directly on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 111, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
