Riddle of ‘ghost’ car smash

A 21-year-old man gave a graphic account of a spectacular crash which left a car a write off — and no driver or passengers.

Anthony Knowles was making his way home after finishing work at The Clarence Hotel, Greenfield, at 2am on Saturday morning when he heard a loud impact in Manchester Road.

Anthony, who was walking along Chew Valley Road which runs parallel to the crash scene said: “At first I thought it was a head-on collision — the impact was so loud.

“I ran to the scene and saw a white Ford Escort on its roof, sideways to the road.

“The horn was still blaring — but there were no lights on the vehicle and absolutely no-one about. It was a miracle anyone got out of the wreckage without injury.

“Petrol was spilling out of the car. I was surprised it had not gone up in flames. The windows were broken and the doors were open.

A passing motorist stopped at the scene and in minutes police patrol cars arrived and began a search of the area.

Police are working on the theory the car had been stolen. The car had ploughed into metal stanchions at the road edge.

Crash victim cut free

A MAN had to be cut free from a car when the driver lost control in Oldham Road, Heyside, at 1.30am today.

The driver managed to get out of the convertible BMW following the incident close to the Big Lamp roundabout.

The passenger was freed by firefighters and paramedics treated him at the scene for neck and back injuries before he was taken to hospital.