Shocking CCTV footage has revealed the devastating moment two cars collided head-on in Bolton, claiming the lives of four people in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Fatal Collision: A Timeline of Events
The incident occurred at approximately 12.45am on Wigan Road. It involved a red Seat Leon and a Citroen C4 Picasso, which was being used as a private hire vehicle. According to footage obtained from a nearby property, the Seat appeared to be travelling at high speed on the incorrect side of the 30mph road.
The video shows the taxi moving along the street before being struck with immense force by the oncoming Seat. The impact was catastrophic, causing the Seat to spin violently across the carriageway, scattering debris, before it finally collided with a parked car and came to a stop.
Community in Mourning After Tragic Loss
Tragically, three teenagers inside the Seat Leon lost their lives. They have been named as Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali and Farhan Patel, both 18, and Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, 19, all from Bolton. The driver of the Citroen Picasso, a man in his 50s understood to be Mosrab Ali from Blackburn, was also pronounced dead at the scene.
Five other passengers were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Emergency services, including three fire appliances, worked for around two hours to cut casualties from the wreckage. Residents reported hearing a 'very loud bang' and witnessing paramedics performing CPR on the roadside.
Police Investigation and Community Calls for Action
Chief Inspector Helen McCormack of Greater Manchester Police described a 'challenging scene' and called the incident a 'devastating' and 'tragic reminder of the importance of road safety'. The road was closed for over 14 hours as the Serious Collision Investigation Unit conducted its enquiries.
Officers confirmed they are aware of a Snapchat video, circulated prior to the crash, showing a car travelling at 120mph. However, they have not yet established a definitive link to this collision. Police have firmly debunked social media rumours suggesting the crash resulted from a police chase.
Local residents have expressed anger and grief, with some stating that speeding is a persistent problem on Wigan Road. One man, whose wife's parked Peugeot was struck, said he had previously asked the council to install traffic calming measures. His sister echoed the sentiment, stating, 'It shouldn't take four fatalities before they do something.'
The Bolton Council of Mosques released the names of the deceased and asked the community to pray for their families. Green Party Councillor Hanif Alli described the event as a 'needless, tragic, loss of life'.
Police are appealing for witnesses, dashcam, or CCTV footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 111, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
