TWO men were fighting for their lives today after a high powered car left the road and hit a lamppost. The driver and front seat passenger suffered serious injuries in the crash in Manchester Road, Bury, close to the Waterloo Hotel, just before 7am.

The road was closed to Traffic for two hours as police launched an investigation -- causing long delays for rush hour commuters.

Police said the men were travelling towards Prestwich in a silver Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutionwhen the driver lost control.

The driver, a 29-year-old man from Radcliffe, was taken to Bury's Fairfield Hospital with serious head injuries. His front seat passenger, a 28-year-old man from Tottington, was taken to the same hospital with serious head and chest injuries.

Both had not been named today but police described their condition in hospital as serious. The exact cause of the collision is not known. Witnesses should call Traffic Police on 0161 856 8072.