Bolton Taxi Driver Killed in Devastating Head-On Crash
A tragic head-on collision in Bolton has claimed the lives of four people, including a taxi driver remembered by his family as a gentle soul. The crash occurred early Sunday morning on Wigan Road, leaving a community in shock.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Fifty-four-year-old Masrob Ali died instantly when his taxi collided with a Seat carrying three teenagers. Police confirmed the time of the crash as approximately 12:45 AM. CCTV footage captured the entire incident.
The footage appears to show the Seat traveling at high speed on the wrong side of Wigan Road. This is a 30mph zone. The vehicle then struck Ali's taxi head-on with tremendous force.
The impact sent the Seat spinning violently. It then hit a parked car before finally coming to a stop. The collision created a scene of devastation that emergency services worked for hours to clear.
Victims and Ongoing Investigation
Police have identified the three teenagers who died in the crash. They are Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar and Farhan Patel, both aged 18, and Mohammed Danyaal, who was 19 years old.
Five other passengers from both vehicles sustained serious injuries. They remain hospitalized receiving treatment. Their conditions are being closely monitored by medical staff.
Investigators kept Wigan Road closed for more than 14 hours. They conducted a thorough examination of the scene to determine the exact cause of the collision.
A Family's Grief and Memories
Masrob Ali was a father of four from Blackburn. He had worked as a private hire driver for approximately ten years. His family described him as the sweetest, most gentle soul.
His daughter, Humayra Ali, spoke about her father's character. He was just the kindest man, she said. The family emphasized that Ali was always a very careful and safe driver.
Police provided some comfort to the grieving family. Officers told them the crash did not appear to be Ali's fault. It's clear that my dad wasn't at fault and didn't do anything wrong, Humayra stated. Authorities also assured the family that Ali would not have suffered.
Community Impact and Witness Accounts
Residents living near the crash site described hearing a very loud bang that shook the neighborhood. They witnessed emergency services performing CPR at the roadside in a desperate attempt to save lives.
Firefighters worked for about two hours to cut injured passengers from the wrecked vehicles. Their efforts were complicated by the severe damage to both cars.
Police Appeal and Warning
Greater Manchester Police have made a public appeal for witnesses to come forward. They urge anyone with information about the crash to contact investigators immediately.
Authorities issued a strong warning about sharing footage of the incident online. They stated that distributing disturbing images or videos from the crash could constitute a criminal offence. Police asked the public to respect the victims and their families during this difficult time.
The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the final moments before the collision. They are examining all available evidence, including the CCTV footage, to understand exactly what happened on Wigan Road that tragic morning.
