Four people have died following a devastating head-on collision in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash involved a taxi and a Seat Leon car on Wigan Road, a residential street.
Family's Heartbreaking Tribute to a Devoted Father
Masrob Ali, the 54-year-old taxi driver who lost his life, has been described by his grieving family as "the gentlest soul" and "the kindest man". Mr Ali, who moved to Britain from Bangladesh 42 years ago, was a devoted husband and father to four children.
His eldest daughter, Humayra, 29, spoke of her profound loss, stating she cannot comprehend that her father will never return home. "I keep thinking it’s just a horrible dream and I’m going to wake up and none of this is real," she told LancsLive. She emphasised her father's hard-working nature and dedication to his family.
Humayra also revealed she had viewed CCTV footage of the incident against police advice. "It’s clear who was at fault … It’s clear that my dad wasn’t at fault and didn’t do anything wrong," she stated.
Details of the Tragic Incident and Ongoing Investigation
The collision occurred shortly before 1am on Sunday. According to police, the Seat Leon was travelling on the wrong side of the road when it collided with Mr Ali's taxi.
The three teenagers in the Seat Leon also died at the scene. They were named by police on Monday as 18-year-olds Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar and Farhan Patel, and 19-year-old Mohammed Danyaal. An 18-year-old male passenger from the Seat remains in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.
Four passengers from the taxi were also injured and taken to hospital. Their conditions range from minor to potentially life-threatening. The most seriously injured is a 29-year-old woman.
Police Appeal and Community Impact
Detective Inspector Andrew Page of Greater Manchester Police is leading the investigation. He has issued a public appeal for witnesses, urging anyone who saw the crash or the manner of driving of the Seat Leon prior to the collision to come forward.
"We are still in the early stages of our investigation and work is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this terrible incident," DI Page said. He also requested that people be mindful of sharing footage on social media, considering the profound impact on all the families involved.
Emergency services were praised for their response to what was described as a "particularly challenging" scene. Emergency works were subsequently carried out at the crash site on Wigan Road.
The community in Bolton is now mourning the tragic loss of four lives in this sudden and catastrophic event.
