Three teenagers and a man in his 50s have tragically died in a “serious accident” that also left five others injured.
The crash, which is understood to have involved a car and a taxi, happened on Wigan Road in Deane, Bolton, at around 12.45am today. Police said a red Seat Leon was travelling down the road and collided with a Citroën C4 Picasso.
A large police presence remains at the scene, and traffic monitoring service Inrix reports the road is closed in both directions between Deane Church Lane and Bankfield Street.
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Community ‘shocked’ by tragedy
Local Councillor Ayyub Patel told BBC Radio Manchester that he had spoken to some of the victims’ relatives, who were “devastated”.
He added: “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.”
Debris following the fatal crash (
Image:
Phil Taylor / SWNS)
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Cutting equipment used to free people from cars
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.”
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Neighbours woken by loud bang
Neighbours have said they were woken by a loud bang just before 1am.
Police earlier confirmed that a red Seat Leon collided with a Citroën C4 Picasso at around 12.45am. Both cars were pictured badly damaged.
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Crash understood to be head-on collision
The incident is understood to have been a head-on collision.
KEY EVENT
Three teenagers and a man in his 50s died
Two 18-year-old men and a 19-year-old man died in a Seat car, Greater Manchester Police have said.
The driver of the other vehicle, a Citroën C4 Picasso, a man in his 50s, was also killed in the crash.
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Police are appealing for witnesses
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for information and witnesses for further information following a fatal collision in the early hours of Sunday 11 January.
“At around 12:45am, officers attended Wigan Road, Bolton where a red Seat Leon was travelling down the road and collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso.
“The driver of the Seat, and two passengers have tragically died following the collision. The driver of the Citroen was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“Five injured passengers have been taken to hospital, where they are currently being treated. A scene is still in place at this time as officers continue their investigation.
“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.
“You can contact the SCIU directly on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 111 of 11/01/2025. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”
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4 killed and 5 injured in crash, police say
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that this morning’s crash was fatal.
Four people were sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The victims include the driver of a Seat, its two passengers and the driver of a Citroën.
Five other passengers sustained injuries and were taken to hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment, the force added.
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Crash took place outside homes
A Manchester Evening News reporter at the scene said the crash took place outside homes on Wigan Road and appears to have involved a taxi.
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Both vehicles have been recovered, onlooker says
Around a 200-metre stretch of Wigan Road remains closed after the crash, Manchester Evening News reports.
An onlooker told reporters: “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.”
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Badly damaged cars pictured at scene
Two badly damaged cars have been pictured at the scene. Clean-up is underway, with one vehicle seen loaded onto a tow truck.
A badly damaged car on the back of a tow truck (
Image:
Manchester Evening News)
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Pictures from scene
A large police presence remains on Wigan Road in Bolton. Greater Manchester Police are expected to issue a statement soon.
Police presence on Wigan Road in Deane (
Image:
Manchester Evening News)
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Map shows location of crash
The crash occurred on Wigan Road in Deane at around 12.45am. A large police presence remains at the scene, and traffic monitoring service Inrix reports the road is closed in both directions between Deane Church Lane and Bankfield Street.
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Local councillor suggests crash has claimed lives
Local councillor Ayyub Patel said he was “deeply saddened” by what he described as a “serious incident” that has claimed lives.
He said: “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.”
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Three fire engines sent to scene
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that three fire engines and a technical response unit were dispatched to the scene on Wigan Road at around 12.50am.
