A LOCAL police officer was killed in an horrific crash in Manchester city centre early today.

PC Robert Nathans who lived in the Walmersley area of Bury died when the police minibus he was driving collided with an articulated tractor unit. Four other officers were injured.

PC Nathans was based at Bootle Street police station in Manchester city centre and had served with Greater Manchester Police for 21 years. He was married with no children.

The accident happened at 2.30am as the police vehicle carrying the five officers was turning right from Portland Street into Oxford Road.

Their vehicle collided with a Leyland Daf articulated tractor unit, owned by Wincanton Distribution of Trafford Park and driven by Mark John Muckley from Warrington who was not injured in the accident but is said to be deeply shocked.

Inspector Martin Stanhope who is based at Bury today paid tribute to the police officer who served on his shift when he was a sergeant at Bootle Street. He said: "I worked with PC Nathans four or five years ago, I was the sergeant on the shift he worked. He was a really nice bloke and this is a terrible, terrible shame, his wife is obviously distraught.

"He had worked at Bootle Street for some time having joined the police force later in life, I do not know where he worked before, but I would say he was in his late 40s.

"He was a very enthusiastic officer, one of those people who could not be doing with the quiet life.

"He himself lived life to the full, he was a big man and a great character who will be sadly missed."

The four injured officers were Insp Sean Currie, cuts and bruising, PC Michael Booth, whiplash, PC Darren Cook, bruising and whiplash and PC Jayne Riley, bruising. They were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary and were released after treatment.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said the dead officer was "one of the best and would be sadly missed by family, friends and colleagues." The spokesman added that the force's sympathies have been extended to PC Nathan's wife.

Police were unable to say whether the vehicle was answering an emergency.

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