A devastating collision between a car and a taxi in the early hours of Sunday morning has claimed four lives, with three of the victims believed to be teenagers. The incident occurred on Wigan Road in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and has left the local community in shock.
Details of the Fatal Collision
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), a red Seat Leon and a Citroen C4 Picasso taxi were involved in the crash shortly after midnight. The force confirmed that the driver of the Seat and two of its passengers, all thought to be men aged between 18 and 19, died at the scene.
The driver of the Citroen taxi, a man believed to be in his 50s, also lost his life. Five other passengers sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. Formal identification procedures for the victims are still ongoing.
Emergency Services Response
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at around 12.50am. A spokesperson detailed their response, stating that three fire engines and a technical response unit attended.
"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," the spokesperson said. GMP officers assisted by cordoning off the area, and crews remained in attendance for approximately two hours.
Community Reaction and Police Appeal
Local councillor Ayyub Patel expressed the profound sadness felt across the community. "The community is very saddened by the tragic news," he said, urging that the authorities be allowed to conduct their investigations without interference.
GMP has launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the fatal accident on Wigan Road. Officers are now urging any witnesses who have not yet come forward, or anyone with dashcam footage of the area around the time of the collision, to contact them immediately.
This tragic event underscores the ongoing concerns regarding road safety, particularly for young drivers. The investigation will seek to establish the full sequence of events that led to this profound loss of life in Bolton.
