A TEENAGE boy is fighting for his life after being thrown from a car then crushed by the vehicle as it rolled over.

The 16-year-old, a former Harper Green School pupil from Farnworth, was thrown from the black Citroen C2, which then overturned and landed on him, in Rivington Road, Belmont, at about 11pm last night.

He has serious head injuries and internal injuries, and a friend of the teen said the boy was in a coma in hospital.

No other cars were involved in the smash, which resulted in the car landing on a grass bank after rolling several times.

A 19-year-old man, another former Harper Green pupil, was also in the car.

He flagged down a passing car and people helped lift the Citroen off the boy.

A nurse, who was passing, also gave first aid at the scene, and both teenagers were taken to hospital - the 19-year-old suffered a chest injury and minor cuts.

Police are still trying to establish who was driving the vehicle.

Firefighters from Bolton North fire station attended but both of the teenagers were out of the car when they arrived.

Two ambulances and three rapid response vehicles were at the scene for just under an hour.


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A man, whose son is friends with the 16-year-old boy, said the boy was resuscitated at the scene but was last night in a coma.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: “The boy’s mother and father were taken to the hospital with the police. As far as I understand, he was not driving the car which crashed.

“My son has been at the hospital with him. It’s not looking good. He’s definitely in a very bad way. He’s breathing at the moment, but he’s got a lot of tubes on him.

“My understanding is that they are going to bring him out of the coma on Monday. We are all hoping he pulls through.”

Sara Cain, deputy headteacher at Harper Green School, said: “Anybody involved in an accident, however serious, we would hope will make a full recovery.

"Our thoughts are with the families at this moment in time.”

Shaun Holland, aged 28, landlord of the Black Dog pub in Church Street, which runs onto Rivington Road, said: “It’s not the first time something like this has happened.

“It seems to happen every other week. The road is too narrow — you can only fit one car and there are no street lights.

“The council should widen the road.”

Nicola Holland, aged 46, landlady of the pub, said: “I hope the boy is okay. A woman, who I think was his mum, pulled up outside the pub and looked distraught.

“The road is very dangerous. In the summer, particularly, it’s a nightmare.

“They should put cats eyes in the middle of the road to make it safer.”

Natasha Maciejkowicz, aged 22, who lives in Rivington Road, said: “I saw two police cars, a couple of ambulances and fire engines coming up the street.

“I don’t think the road is particularly bad, but there should maybe be a 50mph speed limit instead of 60mph.”

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said they were alerted to the accident at 11.06pm.

North Turton and Tockholes councillor Jean Rigby, who represents Belmont, said: “There are some bends on there so you do have to be careful.

“There are spots that are dangerous and I am terribly sorry this accident has happened.

“I really feel for his family who must be heartbroken and I pray to god he comes out of it okay.”

“I am a big fan of cat’s eyes, but they would be expensive to put in.

“I have noticed recently along Broadhead Road these huge poles with reflectors on the top. They could be used here, particularly where there is a big drop off the side of the road.

“I have been in touch with the highways department who will look into it alongside Chorley Council or Lancashire County Council.”

Cllr Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for regeneration, added: “Our thoughts are with the young man and his family. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”

  • Were you one of the people who saw the aftermath of the crash or helped at the scene? Contact our newsdesk on 01204 537270 or newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk