“It scared the life out of me”: Cop car in tatters after smashing into barrier
A busy main road was closed off on Wednesday with a police car left in tatters after smashing into a metal barrier. Ashton Road, in Oldham, was cordoned off by the emergency services on Wednesday evening (October 19) after the crash, which is thought to have required people to be rescued from the wreckage. Multiple large cordons were erected after the crash, which happened shortly after 4.30pm.
Fire crews and paramedics, along with other officers, raced to the scene. The destruction happened within seconds outside the Tesco Express store. Horrifying video footage, seen by the Manchester Evening News, appeared to show a police car, travelling on blue lights, driving north up Ashton Road on the right-hand side.
READ MORE Hong Kong protester claims he was ‘dragged’ into Chinese consulate grounds and beaten in ‘unprovoked’ attack Another white vehicle, in the left lane, appeared to be attempting to turn into the Tesco car park before the crash. Pictures taken from the scene on Wednesday night show the extent of the damage caused to the police car, which had a crushed bonnet, with the railing ripping through the centre of the vehicle.
The police car was left in tatters after the crash (Image: ASP)
It took around two hours for the vehicles involved to be recovered and the scene to be cleared before the usually busy road reopened.
Further details about the incident are yet to be confirmed – and it is not known whether the police car involved was in pursuit or the nature of any injuries. Shocked onlookers who had gathered beside the cordon told of the ‘massive bang’ they heard before the emergency services arrived. One mum said: “I was in the house with the kids this afternoon, and before it happened I heard police helicopters circling the area.
“I went to the kitchen and looked out the window, and then heard this massive bang. It scared the life out of me. “A few minutes later I came outside because I heard all the sirens.
Within minutes there were loads of police here. The damage looked really bad, but we couldn’t see much.” Another local resident, of adjoining Urmston Street, said: “Fire trucks arrived and looked like they cut someone out of the car.
About an hour ago, loads of ambulances arrived on blue lights, it was chaos.
Paramedics and fire crews raced to the scene
“They were all parked up in a square and there was a big sheet up so we couldn’t see what was going on. I hope whoever is involved is okay, it looks awful.” Among crowds of bystanders, there were reports that helicopters had been flying overhead in the moments leading up to a crash.
It has yet to be confirmed if this was related to the police car involved. Two fire engines attended the scene, with a spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service telling the M.E.N: “At approximately 4.40pm on Wednesday, October 19, firefighters were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Ashton Road, in Oldham. “Two fire engines from Oldham and Hollins stations, alongside the Technical Response Unit from Ashton-under-Lyne, quickly attended the scene.
The collision involved two vehicles. Fire crews worked to make the scene safe and were in attendance for approximately one hour.” The condition of those involved in the crash is yet to be confirmed.
Greater Manchester Police have been approached for further information.
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