A CAR driver died, but a mother and three children crossing a road have had a miracle escape, in a rush-hour crash.

The mother -- who was trapped beneath a car -- was taking the children to school. Police believe a Ford Fiesta careered into a stationary VW Golf which then crashed into the woman who was crossing Worsley Road North, Walkden, with the three children.

The elderly male driver of the Fiesta was found dead at the wheel and the woman was trapped beneath the Golf convertible which had been shunted against a wall.

Firefighters used cutting and lifting equipment to free the mother who remained conscious throughout the ordeal.

She was placed on a spinal board and admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital suffering a suspected broken pelvis and suspected broken legs. Her two children and a neighbour's child had all been thrown across the road and were admitted to hospital with cuts, bruises and shock.

One of the youngsters is also believed to have suffered a head injury.

The mother and children had just left home to make their way to a local primary school when the accident happened

The driver of the Fiesta is believed to have suffered a heart attack as he was driving along Worsley Road North, near to the Vulcan Inn.

Police sealed off the road and directed traffic away from the area.

Leading firefighter Mick Callan, from Farnworth fire station, said: "It was absolute chaos when we got there.

"The lads did a great job, but it was a shocking scene."

A spokesman from Greater Manchester Ambulance service said: "We sent four ambulances and a rapid response vehicle. By coincidence one of our crew was at the scene as he was at a friend's house and immediately administered help."

Helen Foster, landlady at the Vulcan pub, said: "I heard screaming and a bang. When I went out there were already lots of people around the scene. The three children were aged about four."