A MUM-OF-THREE suffered a punctured lung and eight broken ribs after a devastating crash on Friday night.

Melissa Quigley was a passenger in a Peugeot E7 minibus taxi on St Peter’s Way in Bolton – travelling towards Manchester – at around 10.50pm when a car collided with it, near the Bradford Street bridge.

The other vehicle – which Metro Cars fleet manager Asad Khan was told by the driver that it was a silver Vauxhall and it was swerving before approaching the Peogeot – hit the taxi’s driver side rear door before striking the central reservation.

Mr Khan said the Vauxhall then veered into the minibus’ front tyre and wing, causing the taxi driver to lose control of the Peugeot before it came to a halt after hitting the ramp of a wall.

Major damage was caused to the taxi, including a smashed window.

The Vauxhall made off from the scene, police said, before emergency services arrived.

The Bolton News:

ROAD: St Peter's Way towards Manchester, with the Bradford Street bridge approaching (Picture: Google Maps)

Melissa, from Tonge Moor, was taken to hospital, where she has been given morphine to help with the pain.

She was due to have an operation on her ribs yesterday, Monday.

The taxi driver suffered whiplash and arm injuries.

Melissa’s family launched an appeal for more information following the crash.

Her sister Victoria Parkinson, 30, said: “We were devastated when we heard about the crash and wanted to know what had happened.

“Melissa said she was flung over.

“For that to happen when you are in a taxi is scary.

“She is stable now but she suffered a punctured lung and eight broken ribs.

“It has been really shocking for us as a family.

“It’s difficult with it being so close to Christmas as well.

“It does not look like she is going to be out in time for Christmas which is upsetting for her children.”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are investigating the incident, in which no arrests have been made.

A GMP spokesman said: “Police were called at around 10.50pm on Friday, December 18 to a report of a collision involving two vehicles.

“The car failed to remain at the scene.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

If you have any information about the crash, including dashcam footage, contact police on 101.