Three teenagers and a man in his 50s have died following a late-night road traffic collision involving a taxi and a private car in Bolton, police have confirmed.
Greater Manchester Police said the crash, believed to have been a head-on collision between two vehicles, occurred at about 00:45 GMT on Wigan Road.
Three young men travelling in a red Seat Leon two aged 18 and one aged 19, including the driver, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of a Citroen C4 Picasso, which police believe was operating as a taxi, also lost his life.
Five other people sustained injuries in the incident and were taken to hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment, GMP added.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene. 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.”
The tragedy has left the local community in shock. Councillor Ayyub Patel, who represents the area, said he had spoken with relatives of some of the victims and described their pain as overwhelming.
“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.”
The road remains closed as investigations continue, with GMP urging anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant information to come forward.
