Shocking CCTV footage captured the moment a suspected stolen BMW which was being chased by police crashed head-on with another car in Rochdale.
Five people were rushed to hospital following the horror smash on Townley Street in Middleton shortly after 10pm on Sunday night (April 10). Three men have also been arrested on suspicion of burglary and driving offences.
Video footage from a nearby shop shows a car waiting at a set of traffic lights before seconds later, another vehicle can be seen travelling at speed before ploughing straight into it.
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The car appears to be pushed down the road for some considerable time by the BMW before coming to a stop. Police said the 'stolen' vehicle also crashed into another car shortly before.
Three occupants of the other two vehicles - two men and a woman - were taken to hospital and treated for what was described as 'minor injuries.' Two of the men travelling in the BMW also required hospital treatment.
Officers from GMP first spotted the BMW, which was believed to have been stolen in Oldham some days earlier, near to junction 19 of the M60 at about 9.35pm on Sunday night.
A patrol car pursued the vehicle towards Rochdale and then back towards Middleton before officers decided to call of the chase. The BMW was later picked up by the force's helicopter, police said.
The 'stolen' car is then understood to have smashed into the two other vehicles on Townley Street. Three men fled the scene but were located and arrested a short time later.
A 20-year-old man is now in custody having been arrested on suspicion of burglary, dangerous driving and possession of a bladed article. The other two men - aged 18 and 19 - were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
A spokesperson for GMP said: "Three men are in police custody after a stolen car crashed in Middleton. Officers spotted the suspect car - a BMW believed to have been stolen in Royton, Oldham on 7 April - near junction 19 of the M60 at about 9:35pm last night (10 April).
"A GMP patrol followed the stolen car towards Rochdale and then back towards Middleton before the pursuit was discontinued and picked up by the force helicopter. The stolen vehicle then collided with two vehicles on Townley Street, Middleton, at about 10:15pm.
"Three males fled the scene on foot but were arrested a short time later with two requiring hospital treatment for minor injuries. A 20-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of burglary, dangerous driving and possession of a bladed article.
"The other two - aged 18 and 19 - have been arrested on suspicion of burglary. The occupants of the other two vehicles - two men and a woman - were taken to hospital with minor injuries."
