Three teenagers are thought to be among four people who died in a crash between a taxi and a car in Greater Manchester.
A red Seat Leon collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso in Wigan Road, Bolton in the early hours of Sunday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
The Seat driver and two passengers, all believed to be aged between 18 and 19, as well as the driver of the Citroen, thought to be a man in his 50s, died after the collision, which happened at around 12.45am.
All were declared dead at the scene, while five injured passengers were taken to hospital, the force said.
The older man was the taxi driver, GMP Chief Inspector Helen McCormick confirmed in an update at 4pm.
She said formal identification is taking place and the families of those thought to be involved have been informed and are being supported by specialist family liaison officers.
Chief Inspector McCormick called the incident “devastating”, adding that the crash scene was “particularly challenging” for the emergency services.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 12.50am this morning, three fire engines and the technical response unit attended a crash involving a taxi and a car on Wigan Road, Bolton.
“Firefighters arrived quickly to make the area safe and used cutting equipment to help remove people from the vehicles before passing them into the care of North West Ambulance Service.
“Greater Manchester Police assisted with cordoning the area. Crews were in attendance for roughly two hours.”
Councillor Ayyub Patel, of Bolton Council, told Sky News the “incredibly tragic incident” had left the whole community “devastated”.
He offered his “heartfelt condolences” to the families and loved ones affected.
Residents “will need time to process and recover from such a profound loss”, he said, as he asked people to “avoid speculation and allow the investigation to take its proper course”.
A statement from Bolton Council of Mosques (BCOM) said: “BCOM is very sad to announce that there was a tragic accident early hours in the morning and the subsequent loss of four young lives.
“BCOM is closely supporting the families and liaising with the relevant authorities. The authorities are professionally, expediently and empathetically dealing with all the necessary issues.
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“It is anticipated that details of the burial will be announced as soon as possible. Please make dua for the deceased and their families and allow them privacy.”
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SICU) is urging any witnesses to come forward with information, including if they have any dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident.
A scene is in place as the investigation continues, GMP said.
