Community in Mourning After Fatal Bolton Collision
A tragic road collision in the early hours of Sunday, 11 January 2026, has left four people dead and five others injured in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Emergency services were called to Wigan Road following a severe head-on crash between a car and a taxi.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a red Seat Leon and a Citroen C4 Picasso were involved in the incident. All four occupants of the vehicles were declared dead at the scene.
Victims Named Following Devastating Incident
The Bolton Council of Mosques has named the three young men believed to have been in the Seat Leon. They are Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, Farhan Patel, and Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali, all aged between 18 and 19.
The taxi driver, who was in his 50s, has been named locally as Mosrab Ali. Formal identification procedures are being conducted by the police, who have informed the families of those involved.
Five other passengers were taken to hospital with injuries following the crash, which occurred at around 12.50am.
Emergency Services Face 'Challenging' Scene
GMP Chief Inspector Helen McCormick described the incident as "devastating" and said the scene was "particularly challenging" for the emergency crews who responded.
Footage from a nearby property, shared online, captured the moment of the head-on impact, showing both cars and debris being sent flying in different directions.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service detailed their response: "Three fire engines and the technical response unit attended. Firefighters used cutting equipment to help remove people from the vehicles before passing them into the care of North West Ambulance Service." Crews remained on Wigan Road for approximately two hours.
A local resident reported being woken by a "loud bang" and seeing significant debris and a severely damaged red car on the road.
Community Leaders Appeal for Calm
Councillor Ayyub Patel of Bolton Council told Sky News the "incredibly tragic incident" had left the whole community "devastated". He offered his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones affected.
He urged residents to "avoid speculation and allow the investigation to take its proper course," acknowledging that people "will need time to process and recover from such a profound loss."
Specialist family liaison officers from Greater Manchester Police are now supporting the bereaved families as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.
