Driver rushed to hospital after reports of car ‘explosion’

A driver was taken to hospital after reports of an 'explosion' involving a car in Hazel Grove. Emergency services were called out to reports of a road traffic collision involving a car crashing into a lamppost on Macclesfield[1] Road at around 3pm today (December 22). Police, firefighters and paramedics attended the scene near Stockport where a section of the road was temporarily closed at the junction with Dean Lane.

The driver of the vehicle was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, the fire service has said. Anne Yates, who was driving on Macclesfield Road when the incident happened, said she heard 'three explosions' and saw 'thick white acrid smoke' that smelt like burning plastic. She thought the engine of the car had exploded, but said that there was no fire.

She said: "I was about two cars back on the inside lane. I was on Macclesfield Road and there was a car turning onto Dean Lane. "All of a sudden I heard an explosion.

Like a boom. I looked. I didn't see anything at first.

"The bonnet had exploded. There was smoke inside the car.

"Everyone was running. Everyone was trying to get the doors open.

"You could smell this thick white acrid smoke. It smelt like burning plastic. "There were three explosions.

It felt like slow motion, but it all happened so fast. "I've never seen smoke like it. It happened as it was turning.

There was a big boom. But there was no fire." A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "Just after 3pm this afternoon (Friday 22nd December), two fire engines from Offerton and Stockport[4] Central fire station, along with the Technical Response Unit from Ashton[5], were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a car crashing into a lamp post on Macclesfield[6] Road, Hazel Grove[7].

"Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters using trauma equipment and a long board worked with colleagues from North West Ambulance Service to treat the driver of the vehicle at the scene, before they were taken to hospital. "Firefighters ensured the vehicle was safe and were in attendance for around thirty minutes."

Greater Manchester Police[8] and North West Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.

References

1. ^ Macclesfield (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Attempted murder investigation after man opened fire in busy Manchester street (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ CCTV footage released as police continue search for missing Timperley man not seen for three days (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ Stockport (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ Ashton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ Macclesfield (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
7. ^ Hazel Grove (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
8. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)