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.
The three teenagers and a man killed in the horror crash in Bolton earlier today have been named locally.
Bolton Council of Mosques (BCoM), which has previously stated publicly that it is supporting the relatives of the deceased, has named the four people.
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Bolton Council of Mosques said they supporting the families of those killed, in a statement released today.
"BCOM is very sad to announce that there was a tragic accident early hours in the morning and the subsequent loss of four young lives.
"BCOM is closely supporting the families and liaising with the relevant authorities. The authorities are professionally, expediently and empathetically dealing with all the necessary issues.
"It is anticipated that details of the burial will be announced, as soon as possible. Please make dua for the deceased and their families and allow them privacy."
Chief Inspector McCormick continued: "This was a devastating incident for all those involved, none more so than the families of the deceased.
"This was a particularly challenging scene for colleagues in the emergency services, and I want to thank first responders from our Bolton district and road policing unit of GMP, as well as the fire service and ambulance service, for all their hard work through the night and into today.
"This is a tragic remainder of the importance of safety on our roads across Greater Manchester and here in Bolton, where plenty of work has been done and continues to try and ensure our roads are safe for all.
"We have massively reduced the number of serious and fatal collisions in Bolton. But we have all got much more to do.
"One incident is one too many and this will do nothing to bring back the four lives affected. My thoughts are with everyone affected."
Chief Inspector Helen McCormick just gave a statement at the scene in Bolton.
She said: "It is with great sadness that I can confirm that in the early hours of this morning, four people tragically died in a collision here on Wigan Road.
"They are believed to be three teenagers, aged 18 and 19, and a taxi driver in his 50s.
"Formal identification is ongoing at this time, and of course it is pivotal that we get this right.
"The families of those we believe have been fatally injured in this incident are being informed, and we have specialist family liaison officers supporting them at this current time.
"Five other people have been taken to hospital where they are currently being treated."
A resident has told a local news reporter that crashes in the area are a regular occurence.
They tell me the road is plagued by speeding drivers and that crashes are a regular occurrence. “It’s really bad. It’s dangerous,” one resident tells me, adding that his parked car was hit and written off in one incident
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."
Greater Manchester Police say an officer will give an update from the scene this afternoon. It comes after four people were killed in a crash in Bolton.
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."
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."
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.
The incident is understood to have been a head-on collision.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Bolton crash: the collision took place right outside some residential properties on Wigan Road pic.twitter.com/oBzHXEtqyN
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."
Two badly damaged cars have been pictured at the scene. Clean-up is underway, with one vehicle seen loaded onto a tow truck.
A large police presence remains on Wigan Road in Bolton. Greater Manchester Police are expected to issue a statement soon.
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.
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."
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.
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