An urgent appeal for information has been issued after an elderly woman was “seriously injured” during a hit and run in Bolton over the weekend.
The appeal comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called out to reports of an elderly woman lying on the road along Moss Bank Way, in the Astley Bridge area of Bolton, at around 10:10am this past Saturday (15 June 2024), and when officers rushed to attend the scene, they found that the 89-year-old had sustained “serious injuries”.
The woman was taken to hospital shortly after the distressing incident, GMP confirmed, and it’s believed she still remains there in a “stable condition” while being treated for wrist and knee fractures.
According to GMP, initial police investigations have suggested that the elderly woman was a pedestrian, and sustained her injuries as she was crossing Moss Bank Way at the junction with Hill View Road when a vehicle collided with her as it turned left out of Hill View Road onto Moss Bank Way.
During the collision, the woman was knocked to the floor.
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The driver of the vehicle, which police say was a silver or grey-coloured SUV, failed to stop after colliding with the woman, and then proceeded to turn left, driving westbound on Moss Bank Way, in the direction of Moss Bank Park.
With the police investigation into the distressing incident now ongoing, GMP is appealing to the Greater Manchester public and is urging witnesses, or anyone with any information, CCTV, or dashcam footage, to come forward and assist with enquiries.
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Officers are also appealing for the driver of the vehicle which failed to stop to come forward too.
Moss Bank Way in Bolton, near to where the incident occurred / Credit: Google Maps
Appealing to the public following the incident, Chief Inspector Michael Parker, from GMP’s Roads Policing Unit, commented: “We are investigating a road traffic collision, where a large vehicle struck an elderly woman, while she was crossing the road near the shops in Astley Bridge.
“The scene has now been stood down while officers review CCTV footage and continue to speak with people who were in the area at the time of this incident, aiming to identify the driver of the vehicle who failed to stop. We urge the driver to come forward and if you have any information, dashcam or mobile phone footage that could support our investigation, please [share].”
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Anyone with any information or footage is asked to call 101 quoting log 1049 of 15/06/2024, or share it via the LiveChat function on GMP’s website – www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Family pays tribute to ‘much-loved son’ who died after Wigan bus crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died in a tragic bus crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.
Luke Hill, 28, was involved in a collision between a bus and a motorbike earlier this month, and sadly passed away in hospital the following morning.
The incident occurred on the Wigan Road junction of Alexandra Road, at around 11.54pm on Thursday 6 August – and GMP are still appealing for members of the public to come forward with CCTV, dashcam, or information.
The driver of the bus remained at the scene following the crash, and continues to support police with their investigation.
Paying tribute to Luke, his family described him as a ‘rock and much-loved part of the family’.
His mother said that living without him feels like a ‘terrible nightmare’.
Paying tribute, Luke’s mum, Sharon, has said: “Luke was my son, my rock, and a much-loved part of our family. There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a son, especially in such a tragic way.
“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep expecting this terrible nightmare to end and for you to be here with us again.
“Luke was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. He meant so much to so many people, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
“We miss you more than words could ever say. The pain of losing you is something we will carry with us forever, but so will the love and memories you gave us.
“The whole family is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and allows us the time and space we need to grieve.
“You will never be forgotten, Luke.
“We love you and miss you so much.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or anyone who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to come forward and assist the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact police via 0161 856 4741 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting the log number 4225 of 06/08/2026.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Government issues UK-wide temporary ban on sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk
Emily Sergeant
A temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has been issued nationwide.
Following the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer, and as many regions declare drought conditions, the Government has made the decision to issue a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk.
A disposable barbecue is defined as a fuel tray or grill grid that includes charcoal fuel ‘sufficient to provide cooking temperature for the duration of a single cooking episode’.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as a ‘tinderbox’ and urged ‘all retailers big and small’ to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires, but following the shocking scenes in Stourbridge which raged overnight, it appears this has been escalated to a formal temporary ban.
The ban applies to all producers and distributors of the product – including retailers that make disposable barbecues available on the British market – and includes online sales too.
A Government statement reads: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the Government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th June 2024 
