Four killed and five injured in Bolton road crash

Three teenagers and a man in his 50s were killed in a collision involving a taxi and a car in which five others were also injured, police have said.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said two vehicles were involved in what is understood to have been a head-on crash, which happened at 00:45 GMT in Wigan Road, Bolton.

The force said three men travelling in a red Seat Leon – two aged 18, the other 19 – including its driver had died. The driver of the Citroen C4 Picasso, believed to be a taxi, was also killed.

GMP said the five people injured in the crash had been taken to hospital where they were undergoing treatment.

The casualties have yet to be formally identified.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 12.50am, three fire engines and the technical response unit attended a crash involving a taxi and a car on Wigan Road, Bolton.

“Firefighters arrived quickly to make the area safe and used cutting equipment to help remove people from the vehicles before passing them into the care of North West Ambulance Service.

“Greater Manchester Police assisted with cordoning the area.

“Crews were in attendance for roughly two hours.”

Councillor Ayyub Patel, who represents the area, told BBC Radio Manchester that he had spoken to some of the victims’ relatives, who were “devastated”.

“The community was waking up to this very sad news, they are shocked – the mood is sombre.

“Any loss of life in any family is devastating news and to wake up to such tragic news is more so than expected.

“If it’s expected, you know what’s coming but if it’s not expected, then obviously it’s a shocking experience.”

The crash scene has been sealed off.

GMP has appealed for any information about the fatal collision.