A SUSPECTED stolen car which ended up in a river after a shocking crash in which three teenagers were rescued has finally been fully recovered.

Police said the driver of the red VW Golf failed to stop for police on Loxham Street in Moses Gate after midnight on January 22, 2020.

After a short police chase, the car crashed into wooden fencing and was left partially submerged in the River Croal after sliding down a 60m embankment.

Three teenage boys were rescued by firefighters and a fourth youth was involved but did not need to be saved. The suspected car thieves, aged between 13 and 16, were taken to hospital to be assessed for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Following the incident the vehicle was left stranded in the water, becoming an eyesore for residents.

Voluntary organisation Community 4x4 Response stepped in to offer its help and discussed with Bolton Council and the Environment Agency how they could remove the VW from the water. The recovery operation was approved and on October 12, 2020, team members dragged the vehicle out of the river.

The VW was taken to Community 4x4’s base in Haslingden, Lancashire, and on Monday the organisation announced the saga was coming to a close. The car was collected and taken away for recycling by the insurance company and is set to be crushed.