A22-year-old man has died after becoming trapped in his vehicle after it crashed into a tree in Hale last night.
Local residents are understood to have tried to save the driver when the Ford Focus burst into flames after hitting a tree on Clay Lane at around 1.10am this morning.
Three other men in the car, aged 21, 22 and 25, managed to escape and were taken to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.
One eyewitness reported hearing the “agonising” screams of the passengers as attempts were made to rescue the trapped driver.
Below: Forensic officers at the scene of the crash (Image: @iMoanmuch)
The road remained closed off for several hours today at the junction with Whitecarr Lane at one end and Grove Lane at the other.
An eyewitness who lives close to the accident scene told us: “I was just in bed when I heard a loud thud/bang. I ran to the window and saw a Ford Focus with the front smashed in across both lanes.
“I saw signs of flames so immediately called 999. Whilst I was on the phone one of the passengers was screaming and trying to open the driver’s door. Due to the force of the impact, the door was jammed shut and couldn’t be opened. The passenger and a neighbour tried to extract the driver from the passenger’s side but by this time the fire had broken through the bulkhead and was engulfing the dashboard.
“So, they turned their attention to moving the front seat passenger a safe distance from the burning car. Four to five minutes later emergency services arrived to deal with the incident.”
The resident said it was the second accident in the spot in six months.
Sergeant Brian Orr, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts and sympathy go out to this young man’s family at this tragic time.
“We have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision, if you witnessed the incident, please come forward and speak to us.”
Below: Police closing Clay Lane at the junction with Grove Lane
