A HIT and run driver ploughed into a group of friends as they were making their way home from a night out.

The pick-up truck mounted the pavement and smashed into the group of five men in Darcy Lever.

It hit three men, before the driver turned sharply, mounted the pavement and drove towards the group again, police have said.

Two of the victims are in Royal Bolton Hospital, suffering from broken bones.

One of the men, 23-yearold Lee Dootson, managed to crawl into a nearby garden to avoid being struck by the truck a second time. The pals had been out drinking on Friday night and police say they spent time in the Farmers Arms pub, in Radcliffe Road, Darcy Lever, where there was a fight. As the group walked home along Radcliffe Road at 1.50am the incident happened. Following the crash, the truck drove off towards Long Lane, Breightmet. Three men were left lying in the street close to Riverbanks.

Mr Dootson suffered a broken right ankle and dislocated right foot, another man a broken wrist, and a third man suffered bumps and bruises to his arms and shoulders.

Doctors plan to operate on Mr Dootson’s ankle later this week, though it could be several weeks before he is discharged from hospital.

His mother, Patricia Dootson, of Wardle Street, Darcy Lever, said: “I was really scared and worried when Lee told me what had happened. He will be okay, but it’s a long road to recovery. He works as a carpet fitter, but I don’t think he’ll be able to go back for some time.”

People living in Riverbanks watched in horror. David Foley said: “I heard all the commotion. It’s really scary that this has happened so close to home.”

Neighbour, Emma Brown, said: “I heard a lot of noise outside and tyres screeching. A man was on the ground screaming.”

Police want to trace the dark truck with silver bars which is believed to have a damaged headlight.

Det Insp Stuart Wilkinson, from Bolton CID, said: “Two men were badly injured but this incident could easily have had far more tragic consequences.”

Police arrested a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman. They were both released on bail yesterday pending further inqu