AN 87-year-old man has been taken to hospital after a crash in Farnworth.
The pensioner, who was driving a red Smart car, hit a black Ford Focus at the junction of Albert Road and Glynne Street, just outside the Shakespeare pub in Farnworth.
Witnesses described the 87-year-old, who had to be cut out of his car by firefighters, as being in a "a bad way" and he was taken to hospital.
His car, which has been destroyed, is on a traffic island and police closed the surrounding roads.
They have now re-opened and police are managing the traffic.
Witness Angela Rothwell, who lives in the Shakespeare pub, said: "We heard a huge bang and came out - there were people everywhere.
"I saw the elderly man - he was in a real state.
"He looked shocked and the ambulance took him to hospital.
"This is a bad corner and there have been accidents here before."
Another witness, who did not wish to be named, said: "This has happened because the filter light on the traffic lights doesn't work, so the older man has obviously thought it was okay to go.
"It's not the first I have seen here - it needs fixing."
Someone else who witnessed the crash and did not want to be named added: "We heard a sound like a gunshot and came running out.
"We could see the man being cut out of his car. He looked in a bad way."
- UPDATE - Midday June 19 - The man was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital complaining of abdominal and chest pains. He is still in hospital. A spokesman said police were no longer investigating the incident as they do not believe there was any criminal activity.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel