Four people have died in a horror car crash, which also saw five others rushed to hospital, police have said.
A main road in Bolton is closed in the early hours of Sunday morning after a ‘serious accident’ with a heavy police presence following.
Officers were in place on Wigan Road in Deane, following the crash, which is understood to have been a head-on collision that took place around 12.45am.
A red Seat Leon collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso on Wigan Road in Bolton in the early hours of Sunday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
The driver of the Seat and two passengers died as a result of the crash. The driver of the Citroen also died.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police urged any with information about the incident to come forward.
“A scene is still in place at this time as officers continue their investigation,” the statement read.
“The SCIU are urging for anyone with information to please come forward.
“This includes anyone who saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam/ CCTV footage of the incident,” the force said.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 12.50am this morning, 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.”
One onlooker said: “They have recovered both vehicles now. One of the cars was taken away earlier and the other is being taken away now.
“It is an absolute mess,” they told the Manchester Evening News.
“I can’t believe it, I heard the loudest bang,” another local told The Bolton News. “It’s really bad. It’s dangerous,” another said of the aftermath.
Greater Manchester Police’s serious collision investigation unit is understood to have been on the scene.
Two badly mangled cars could be seen in the aftermath of the incident.
Rumworth Councillor Ayyub Pate expressed his condolences, saying: “As a councillor for Rumworth, I am deeply saddened to hear about the serious incident on Wigan Road.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the persons who have tragically lost their lives and my thoughts are with everyone affected.
“I want to express my gratitude to the emergency services for their swift and professional response in such difficult circumstances.
“Our community will stand together in support and we will await further updates from the authorities.”
Councillor Rabiya Jiva, council cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “Firstly my thoughts are with those involved and my condolences go out to the families.
“I would urge members of the community to let the police continue with doing there jobs and if they have any further concerns they would like to raise then to please get in touch with their local councillors,” she added.