Calls for action have intensified after a massive crash on St Helens Road at around 2pm today.
UPDATE (23/07/2024): St Helens Road crash happened after police pursue 'stolen vehicle'.
At least five cars appeared to be involved in the crash, which left a white Hyundai Tucson flipped over next to two other damaged cars on St Helens Road, while two other cars crashed into a wall on the other side of the junction, at Morris Green Lane.
(Image: NQ)
The incident left the junction and part of St Helens Road closed, and resulted in a suspected gas leak. The company later confirmed there was no leak, with just superficial damage reported.
The crash comes exactly one month after another crash less than 100 metres down the road, which resulted in the death of beloved grandmother Karen Kimblin.
@theboltonnews A major Bolton road was closed today after a massive crash involving at least five cars. A white Hyundai Tucson was left flipped over in the middle of St Helens Road, with traffic coming to a standstill at around 2pm today (22/07). For more, see The Bolton News
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Just weeks later, on July 4, a cyclist was taken to hospital with injuries following another crash on the road.
No injuries were reported following the latest crash, according to emergency workers on the ground.
(Image: NQ)
Crash was a ‘big hit’, says driver
The driver of the Range Rover vehicle was local resident Saira Patel.
She told the Bolton News she was okay following the crash, which she described as a ‘big hit’.
She said: “My legs were gone, I didn’t know what was happening – I was really scared for [the Hyundai driver].
“I saw her car tumbling down, it was really, really bad.”
The 50-year-old added: “There’s traffic coming from that side, there’s a bus stop and there’s Asda – buses are stopping there, people are turning into Asda.
“It’s chaos, it’s mad here. They need to change the layout on the road, definitely.”
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Residents have been campaigning for road safety improvements in the area.
A petition set up by the Friends of Morris Green in the aftermath of the crash in June has already reached more than 1,000 signatures – and will now be presented to the council.
Alan Yates (Image: NQ)
Crash less than an hour after road safety meeting
Just half-an-hour before the crash, local councillors had met with the council’s highways department on the road to discuss options.
Cllr Ayyub Patel (Image: NQ)
Cllr Ayyub Patel, who was at the scene, said: “We were literally here with our Highways Department looking at road safety and safety measures for this area, for the junction in particular, obviously within literally half-an-hour another incident.”
He added: “All residents of Rumworth and Bolton are angry at road safety issues, especially on this stretch.
“With the council we are working towards making improvements, and that’s the reason why we had our meeting today with the Highways Department.”
Friends of Morris Green member Alan Yates was also at the scene of the crash. The local resident said he had heard the bang from his home streets away.
He said: “It’s just terrible. They’re doing nothing, they’re doing nothing there’s going to be another fatal [crash]. There is. It’s not on.”
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Road safety ‘key priority’ for council
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We fully understand the concerns raised about road safety along St Helens Road.
“The safety of all road users is a key priority for the council and we work closely with Greater Manchester Police on this.
“While we cannot comment on individual incidents, we will explore all available options wherever there is clear evidence that traffic calming measures could prevent future accidents.”
(Image: NQ)
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 2pm on Monday (July 22) two fire engines from Bolton fire station and the Technical Response Unit from Ashton fire station attended reports of a crash involving several vehicles on St Helens Road, Bolton.
“Firefighters made the vehicles and surrounding area safe and were in attendance for around one hour.”
A spokesperson for Cadent gas said: “Our engineer has confirmed that there is no gas leak. The casing that covers the pipe will need replacing and that will be programmed in.
“From a safety perspective, all is fine. It's always 100% the right thing to call in suspected damage like this, and/or any smell of gas.
“Call 0800 111 999 day or night, to speak to the gas emergency service. All calls are recorded and may be monitored.”
Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.
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