DETECTIVES are probing a bizarre road rage incident in which two terrified men were threatened with a gun on the outskirts of Bolton town centre last night.
A man leapt out of a car and threatened to shoot the driver and a passenger after a near collision at a busy road junction.
The incident is the latest in a series of road rage incidents blighting Britain in recent weeks
The road rage row happened last night at the major Chorley New Road junction with Chorley New Road shortly before 6.30pm.
A police spokesman said the incident happened after the driver of a white BMW pulled out in front of a Vauxhall Cavalier in Chorley New Road. The driver of the Cavalier had to brake hard to avoid a collision.
Police say the BMW was then driven down the main road at speeds as slow as 10mph with the driver of the Cavalier flashing his lights and sounding his horn behind him The Cavalier eventually overtook the BMW on the inside and at the traffic light junction the drivers traded insults.
The driver of the BMW car then leapt out of his car. He ran towards the Cavalier before producing a small handgun from a holster clearly visible under his jacket. He pointed the gun at the car's window and tried to open the door but returned to his vehicle when another driver stopped at the junction.
Police say the man walked to his car "John Wayne style" before driving off at high speed towards St George's Road.
The two victims who were threatened raised the alarm by telephoning the police from a nearby public phone.
A police spokesman said: "The gun involved may not have been a genuine weapon but we are still treating this matter as a very serious incident indeed. Incidents like this will not be tolerated."
The white BMW is understood to have been sold to a new owner in December. A small black dog was sitting in the front passenger seat of the BMW. Detectives say the driver involved is white and had dreadlocks in his hair.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Astley Bridge CID, tel: 0161 872 5050.
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