Three teenagers and a taxi driver have died and five other people are injured following a serious crash 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 could be seen spinning across the road, sending debris flying, before hitting a parked car and coming to a stop, with smoke billowing from its engine.
Police said the deceased included three teenagers, two aged 18 and one aged 19, and a man in his 50’s, thought to be the taxi driver, although they stressed formal identification was yet to take place.
Another five passengers were taken to hospital, where they are currently being treated.
The Citroen Picasso, removed from the scene on Wigan Road, Bolton, this morning was very badly damaged in the crash
The scene at Wigan Road, Bolton where emergency services have been dealing with a serious road traffic accident
Four people died and five others were injured in the accident in Bolton just before 1am this morning
Another image showed the mangled bonnet and engine of the Picasso as it was loaded onto a recovery truck
This afternoon the names of the teenagers and the taxi driver were released by Bolton Council of Mosques, who asked people to pray for their families.
In separate statements on X, the deceased were identified as Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali, Farhan Patel and Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, all of Bolton. Mosrab Ali, of Blackburn, who is believed to be the taxi driver, was also killed.
A letter from BCoM’s executive team, also tweeted on X, said the mosque was ‘closely supporting’ relatives and liaising with the appropriate authorities.
The road was closed for more than 14 hours by officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s Serious Collision Investigation Unit before being re-opened around 3.15pm.
Both vehicles, which suffered extensive damage, were earlier removed from the scene.
Speaking from the scene this afternoon Chief Inspector Helen McCormack, of Greater Manchester Police, said emergency crews were faced with a ‘challenging scene.’
‘This was a devastating incident for all those involved, none more so than the families of the deceased,’ she said.
‘This is a tragic reminder of the importance of safety on our roads.
‘We have massively reduced the number of serious and fatal collisions in Bolton, but we have much more to do. One incident is one too many and nothing will bring back the four lives lost here today.
‘My thoughts are with everyone affected.’
Ms McCormack confirmed officers were aware of a Snapchat video taken before the crash, which showed a car travelling at 120mph, but said they had yet to establish whether it was connected to the accident.
Chief Inspector Helen McCormack, of Greater Manchester Police, spoke to reporters at the scene of the crash this afternoon. She said it was a ‘devastating incident for all those involved’
Footage from CCTV cameras of a nearby property showed the Picasso (left) travelling along Wigan Road shortly before the collision
The point of impact (right) between the two cars appeared to show the Seat travelling on the wrong side of the road. The collision was caught on a local resident’s CCTV cameras
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said they sent three appliances to the crash and crews spent around two hours cutting the injured passengers from the cars before they were taken to hospital.
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.’
Green Party Councillor Hanif Alli also said: ‘This is such a needless, tragic, loss of life and we, like many others, are in shock at the severity of the crash.’
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.