Police are trying to track down a pedestrian believed to have witnessed a fatal accident that left two people dead.
They believe the passer-by will have vital information about the collision that would aid Greater Manchester Police’s investigation, but haven’t come forward.
The collision occurred at around 7am on Sunday 4 December on Devonshire Road North in Ardwick.
A silver Vauxhall Corsa (registration number DV61 AOG) was travelling south, but the driver lost control of the vehicle, collided with a number of bicycle racks and a tree, before coming to rest outside Universal Square.
Tragically, one of the people in the car died shortly after the crash and the driver died in hospital on Saturday 10 December.
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Saadat Shah. Credit: GMP
The man who died on 4 December has been named as 26-year-old Saadat Shah.
His family said in a statement released through GMP: “Saadat was a much-loved brother, son, and great human being. His life was just starting, and he just came back from Paris for his birthday last week.
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“He had so many plans and was going to get married soon. He was very close with all members of his family, and he greatly loved everyone.
“A sensitive soul, he will be dearly missed by everyone forever. RIP.”
The other victim has been named as Husnain Akram, 23.
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GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are now trying to find more information about the collision.
Officers have already secured CCTV footage of the incident itself, which has revealed a pedestrian walking nearby.
The person remained at the scene for a short time, but then continued walking.
Police now hope to trace and speak to this person.
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Anyone with information should call GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) on 0161 856 4741 quoting Log 713 of 04/12/22.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: GMP
News
Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
Manchester man jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of woman on train
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of a woman on board a train to Manchester.
Following an extensive British Transport Police (BTP) investigation, Nisan Fernando Kurukulasuriya, of Troutbeck Road in Altrincham, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court last month.
At the trail last month, the court heard how, on Monday 20 April 2026, 39-year-old Kurukulasuriya was on a train from Stoke to Manchester and sat next to a woman he didn’t know, who was on the phone.
He then sexually assaulted her repeatedly, doing so again even after being pushed away by the woman.
The woman then noticed that Kurukulasuriya had exposed himself and was masturbating in front of her. She shouted at him, and in response, he stood up and ran away to leave the train – but the woman immediately got up to report the incident to staff.
When the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly, the woman alerted a member of staff while Kurukulasuriya was stood only a few meters away, and BTP were subsequently called straight away.
Police quickly attended and arrested Kurukulasuriya.
When police interviewed him, Kurukulasuriya showed no remorse for his actions and refused to answer any questions put to him.
After pleading guilty to Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency at a previous court hearing, Kurukulasuriya was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, and was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which will bar him from sitting next to any woman he doesn’t know on public transport, as well as being put on thensex offenders register for 10 years.
BTP Detective Sergeant, Mark Haviland, called Kurukulasuriya a ‘despicable man’ who targeted a woman travelling alone ‘for his own sick sexual gratification’.
Daisy Jackson -
21st December 2022 
