The community of Bolton is in mourning after a devastating head-on collision claimed the lives of three young men and a local taxi driver in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Details of the fatal collision
The incident occurred on Wigan Road at approximately 12.45am on Sunday, 12 January 2026. A red Seat Leon, carrying three friends, collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso taxi travelling in the opposite direction.
The three teenagers in the Seat Leon have been formally identified. They are Mohammed Danyaal Asghar Ali, aged 19, and Farhan Patel and Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, both 18 years old. The driver of the taxi was named as 54-year-old Masrob Ali.
A community united in grief
Hundreds of mourners gathered this week to pay their final respects at a joint funeral service for the four victims. The scale of the attendance reflected the profound impact the tragedy has had on the local area, with friends, family, and community members coming together in shared sorrow.
Emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, rushed to the scene of the horror crash in Bolton, but despite their efforts, all four individuals were pronounced dead. The road was closed for several hours as collision investigators began their crucial work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the fatal impact.
Ongoing investigation and tributes
Greater Manchester Police have launched a full investigation into the collision. Officers are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage that might aid their enquiries to come forward.
As the investigation continues, the focus for many remains on supporting the devastated families. Floral tributes have been left at the scene on Wigan Road, and heartfelt messages describing the teenagers as "much-loved" and "kind-hearted" have been shared widely. The loss of Masrob Ali, a working father, has also sent shockwaves through the community.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of road traffic collisions, leaving multiple families and an entire community to grapple with an unimaginable loss.
