A quiet north Manchester street descended into scenes of 'chaos' on Sunday afternoon, after a van ploughed into a group of pedestrians before smashing into a garden wall - leaving two women seriously injured.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene, on Turks Road, Radcliffe, shortly after 2pm on Sunday (May 15) to reports of a collision between the vehicle and four pedestrians. When police and paramedics arrived, horrified neighbours were already desperately trying to help.
Police since confirmed that four people were taken to hospital, with two women aged 41 and 54 suffering 'potentially life changing injuries'. A man and young girl were also taken to hospital with what are thought to be minor injuries.
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Residents have since told of the scenes of 'chaos' that quickly descended amid what was a quiet afternoon. One woman, who lives just a few doors away from where the incident unfolded, said she ran outside after hearing 'a huge bang followed by a scream'.
"I had all the windows open and just heard this huge bang. I didn't think anything of it at first, then it was followed by a scream. I ran out and realised something was very wrong.
"I saw a woman on the floor on the pavement, and her arm was badly injured, and then there was a young girl and another woman who had ended up going over the wall and into the front garden of the house that the van hit. There were loads of people trying to help and calling for an ambulance.
"The driver was clearly really shaken and in shock at what happened. They all went in the ambulance to hospital, and I was really worried and was hoping they would be okay."
Others told the M.E.N that they arrived home shortly after the incident to scenes of chaos. One man, also living on the street, said: "We went out earlier and were out until the afternoon, then we came back and it was chaos.
"It was all shut off and there were loads of police cars with blue lights flashing, and ambulances and the fire brigade were here. It seemed like some sort of freak accident."
Fire crews were also in attendance at the scene, aiding the police and paramedics for just over an hour. The road remained closed throughout the afternoon, and late into Sunday evening.
Police have said enquiries are ongoing and that no arrests have been made in relation to the incident. A spokesperson for the force said: At around 2.15pm on Sunday 15th May, police were called to a report of a traffic collision involving one vehicle and four pedestrians on Turks Road in Radcliffe, where the ambulance service was in attendance.
"Four persons have been taken to hospital; one male and a young female with minor injuries, two females aged 41 and 54 are reported to have potentially life-changing injuries. No arrests have been made at this time."
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) spokesperson said: “At 2:20pm on Sunday 15 May 2022 two fire engines from Farnworth fire station, along with the technical response unit from Ashton under Lyne attended a road traffic collision on Turks Road, Radcliffe.
“The incident involved one vehicle colliding with a wall. Four casualties were treated at the scene by fire crews and ambulance personnel before being taken to hospital. Firefighters were in attendance for one hour and ten minutes.”
Anyone with information about this incident should contact police via the LiveChat facility at https://www.gmp.police.uk/ , or by contacting 0161 856 6108 and quoting incident reference 1786-150522. Alternatively, details can be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
