Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has shared shocking photos of the aftermath of an incident where a car smashed into a lamppost in Bolton.
The police force shared the images to social media after officers from its Traffic division, alongside North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), were called to reports that a car that had smashed into a lamppost yesterday on Watergate Lane, just off the M61, in Bolton.
GMP explained that the driver of the car had tried to overtake an ambulance while going round a bend, and subsequently lost control and crashing into the lamppost.
A shocking picture shared from the scene showed the front of the car completely smashed.
Other pictures shared by GMP Traffic to Twitter yesterday also showed the car’s windscreen with significant damage, debris strewn across the pavement, the lamppost taken completely out of the ground, and the car’s airbags having been activated.
NWAS called on our patrols for assist at RTC @GMPBoltonSouth earlier today (Water Gate Lane). Vehicle over took ambulance on a bend and took out a lamppost. Turns out driver was a Privateer driving instructor. Vehicle recovered Driver Reported. pic.twitter.com/cxiigP8Sv3
In what is an unexpected part of the story though, is that the driver of the vehicle was confirmed by GMP to be a driving instructor.
Explaining the incident on social media yesterday, alongside sharing the photos from the scene, GMP Traffic said: “NWAS called on our patrols for assist at RTC earlier today on Water Gate Lane.
“Vehicle overtook ambulance on a bend and took out a lamppost, [and it] turns out driver was a privateer driving instructor.
“Vehicle recovered and driver reported.”
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Pictures from the debris left at the scene shared by GMP Traffic to social media / Credit: GMP Traffic
“You couldn’t write it,” one person said on Twitter in response to the pictures from the incident.
Another said: “First lesson, don’t overtake on a bend,” a third added: “This gives genuine driving instructors a bad name,” and a fourth said: “Lesson title: how not to drive.”
“Needs to go on a police driving course to teach him properly – great work as always team,” another person said in praise to GMP Traffic officers.
No injuries were reported from the collision, GMP confirmed.
Featured Image – GMP Traffic
News
Police appeal launched as woman dies after being hit by lorry in Bury
Daisy Jackson
A woman has tragically died after being hit by a lorry in Bury yesterday afternoon.
At around 3.45pm on Tuesday 6 October, emergency services were called to a road traffic collision in Radcliffe.
The collision was between a pedestrian and a lorry on Church Street West.
Tragically, the pedestrian – a woman in her 50s – passed away at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services.
A large cordon was in place yesterday and road has remained closed this morning.
Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are now appealing for information.
They said: “At around 3.45pm yesterday (Tuesday 6 October 2026) we were called to reports of a road traffic collision between a pedestrian and a lorry on Church Street West, Radcliffe.
“Emergency services attended but sadly the pedestrian, a woman in her 50s, passed away at the scene.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with information including CCTV, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 2299 of 06.10.26. Reports can also be made via our website of the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.
“Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
New measures announced to tackle ‘rogue’ landlords across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A cohort of trained enforcement officers are set to hit the streets in all 10 boroughs to help improve the lives of the region’s renters.
Forming part of Greater Manchester‘s commitment to the highest-quality housing standards alongside the Good Landlord Charter, the newly trained enforcement officers will be tasked with protecting tenants, joining Council teams in checking rental properties, bringing enforcement action against bad landlords, and cracking down on illegal practices.
The introduction of the new enforcement officers comes after what has been ‘years of sustained pressure’ on local budgets.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says it is working with the 10 councils across the region to strengthen local teams, rebuild in-house skills and expertise, and ensure that powers can be applied with consistency in all boroughs.
As mentioned, this all forms part of the Good Landlord Charter – which is GMCA’s ‘bold approach’ to drive up standards for renters across the region.
Landlords of more than half of rented properties in Greater Manchester have now signed up as supporters of the Charter, and as supporters, they have committed to going above and beyond legal minimums to improve the renting experience for hundreds of thousands of people.
“A safe place to call home is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life,” explained Mayor Bev Craig. “But for years, people have felt trapped in poor-quality housing, and cash-strapped councils were unable to step in to help. I’m putting an end to that.
“We know there are plenty of good landlords in Greater Manchester, and many of them have already signed up to our Good Landlord Charter, but too many are just not good enough.
“That’s why we’re deploying a new generation of expert housing officers onto the streets of our towns and cities.”
Mayor Bev Craig declared that she ‘won’t stand by and let rogue landlords take advantage of people’.
She continued: “By empowering renters, working with responsible landlords, and using our powers to crack down on the bad ones, I will make sure everyone in Greater Manchester has the foundation for a good life.”
Emily Sergeant -
25th July 2022 
