News Beat
Everything so far on fatal Wigan Road, Bolton crash
The crash happened at 12.46am on Sunday January 11 between a red Seat Leon and a Citroen C4 Picasso, believed to be a taxi on Wigan Road in Deane.
Greater Manchester Police say the Seat driver and his two passengers, all believed to be between 18 and 19 years old and the Citroen driver, said to be in his 50s, died at the scene.
Five injured passengers, believed to have been travelling in the Citroen, were all taken to Salford Royal Hospital where they are still believed to be being treated.
The Bolton Council of Mosques identified the four people who were killed and said further funeral details would be released soon.
The three young Bolton men have been named as Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, of Junction Road, Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali, of Knutshaw Crescent, and Farhan Patel, of Briercliffe Road.
The taxi driver is understood to be Mosrab Ali, of Ash Street, Blackburn.
Speaking on Sunday Rumworth’s Cllr Ayyub Patel who had visited the scene throughout the day said that rumours a police chase had been involved in the incident were untrue.
He said: “There are rumours circulating that this was linked to a police chase.
“I’ve spoken directly with officers, and they have confirmed that no police or other authorities were involved.
“This was an unfortunate and very serious incident, with fatalities and a number of injuries.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones affected, and my thoughts are with all those impacted.
“This remains an active investigation.
“Once the authorities have concluded their work, they will speak directly with the affected families.
“I would ask everyone to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to take its proper course.”
Police were the first on the scene followed by followed by three fire engines and a tactical response unit, while paramedics were also in attendance.
Firefighters used cutting equipment to help rescue people from the wreckage and remained at the scene for around two hours.
A police cordon remained in place throughout Sunday morning but by the afternoon had been lifted with traffic able to pass as normal.
Speaking from the scene on Sunday afternoon Chief Inspector Helen McCormick said: “It is with great sadness that I can confirm, in the early hours of this morning, four people have tragically died in a collision here on Wigan Road.
“The families of those that we believe have been fatally injured in this incident have been informed and have specialist family liaison officers supporting them at this current time.
“Five other people have been taken to hospital, where they are currently being treated.
“This was a devastating incident for all those involved, none more so than the families of those deceased.
Rumworth ward Councillors Ayyub Patel and Abdul Aziz Atchta attended along with council deputy leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman and stronger communities cabinet member Cllr Rabiya Jiva.
In a joint statement, the Rumworth councillors said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with all those affected and their families.
“This is a tragedy for this community, in just one day more people were killed on the roads than in the whole of Bolton over last year.
“It’s at times like this that we need to remember the importance of road safety and that we stand together as a community.
“We would also encourage anyone who may have any information or who may have seen anything to please cooperate with the police.”
Anyone with any information or footage can call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit directly on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 111 of January 11.
Alternatively, members of the public can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
