THE two men killed in an horrific road crash in Bolton involving a taxi have been named.

Taxi driver, father-of-two Mohamedali Patel, aged 34, from Auburn Street, Daubhill, was killed instantly.

One of his passengers, Christopher Robbins, aged 25, from Ainsley Close, Bradley Fold, who was taken to the high dependency unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital with serious chest, hip and arm injuries, also died late last night.

A female passenger is believed to be recovering in hospital.

An earlier police report said the incident began when a Vauxhall Cavalier and Toyota Corolla taxi travelling at speeds up to 100mph sped past traffic patrol officers who were speaking to a motorist in Bradford Street in the early hours of yesterday.

The police followed the cars along Bury Road through traffic lights at the junction of Crompton Way and Bury Road at about 2.35am.

Police said they then lost sight of the cars, but when they turned into Long Lane, they discovered a four vehicle accident involving both cars, a Fiat van and a Toyota Carina.

Firefighters cut the injured from the wreckage and they were taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Also injured were a 19-year-old Bolton woman who suffered injuries to her shoulder and chest; a 24-year old Bolton woman and a 25-year-old Bolton man.

Police are appealing for witnesses, particularly the occupants of a car seen at traffic lights at the junction of Bradford Street and Bury Road at the time of the accident.

Yvonne Jackson, who owns Moor Lane taxis, said Mr Patel had worked as a driver for the last four years.

She said: "A couple came to the office at about 2.15am and asked for a taxi to the Bradley Fold area.

"We are all shocked by what has happened.

"Mohamedali was one of my most experienced drivers and he was always courteous and pleasant.

"All 18 drivers from the office are going to the funeral and we will be shutting for an hour."

A police spokesman said: "Two traffic officers on patrol had stopped a vehicle in Bradford Street and were speaking to the driver when two cars drove past at high speed.

"The officers returned to their car, activated the emergency equipment and attempted to follow the two cars.

"The cars were seen driving through traffic lights and the officers lost sight of them on the bend. When they rounded the bend, they discovered a four-vehicle road traffic accident.

"In line with procedure, the matter has been voluntarily referred to the police complaints authority."

Anyone with information about the accident in Breightmet should phone 0161 8567071/ 7072.