POLICE today announced a major seat belt crackdown in Bolton after a baby fractured his skull in a horrific head-on car smash. Traffic police told the BEN that one-year-old Dalawar Mahmood's severe head injuries could have been avoided had he been properly strapped into the back seat of a car involved in a major smash in Great Lever, Bolton, at the weekend. Surgeons said today that little Dalawar was "making good progress and was out of danger" following an emergency operation to repair his skull at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

But police announced that the accident would kickstart a clampdown on all drivers who broke the law by not wearing seat belts.

Sgt Barry Fairclough said offenders would face on-the-spot penalties or court action leading to a maximum £1,000 fine and eight points on a driving licence.

"There will be no verbal warnings," he said. "People are continuing to disregard the law despite repeated warnings from officers. Dalawar's injuries can be particularly attributed to the fact he wasn't wearing a seat belt and he is very lucky to be alive."

Dalawar, of Bolton Road, Farnworth, was "thrown like a bullet" from the back seat onto the front dashboard when a Toyota Corolla driven by an uncle was involved in collision with a Ford Escort at Rishton Lane's junction with Weston Street on Saturday afternoon.

Driver Gulrez Khan, 40, and passengers Amurat Khan, 38, Negat Khan, 11, and Azra Nawaz, 37, were treated for minor cuts and whiplash at Royal Bolton Hospital.

Philip Payne, 27, of Thorne Street, Farnworth, who was driving the Escort, had to be cut free from his wrecked car by firemen who removed his car roof.

He suffered a cracked collarbone and fractured arm, but was released after hospital treatment.

Today Dalawar's distraught family, who are now backing the seat belt campaign, said doctors had told them that the tot's life was not in danger and that he would not suffer any brain damage.

Gulrez Khan, of Bolton Road, Farnworth, who was driving the car, described the accident as a "terrible shock" for his large family.

He said: "Everyone was belted in apart from Dalawar who was being held tightly on the back seat. Blood was everywhere, but we're just so thankful Dalawar is going to be OK."

Rishton Lane was closed for two hours while investigators attended and emergency crews cleared the scene.

Escort driver Mr Payne was later arrested, but was allowed home on police bail pending further investigations.

Residents are urged to call 0161 872 5050 with any information about the accident which happened at 12.45pm.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.