Knocked down like skittles

Photo: PICTURE: Press Association

EVIDENCE markers follow the path of the car along the pavement, with discarded shoes of revellers left behind, as a police forensics officer works at the scene in Rochdale town centre

Man, 26, held after car ploughs into crowd outside club
A 26–year–old man was being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder today after a stolen car ploughed into a crowd of people outside a nightclub.

Up to 25 people were injured when the high-powered Saab drove along the pavement outside the Dali Bar, Rochdale, for around 200 yards in the early hours of yesterday.

Police say they were “knocked down like skittles” by two men who targeted door staff at the club after they were ejected for causing trouble.

The car was found abandoned around two hours later in Albert Royds Street, Rochdale, at 4.20am.

Officers are still hunting a 26–year–old man, also thought to be from the Rochdale area.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “The person we are looking for knows we want to speak to him, so if anyone knows where he is, they should call us.”

Seven men and seven women were taken to hospital in Oldham, North Manchester and Bury by ambulance, including one with a fractured skull. None are said to have life-threatening injures.

Chief Supt Jon Rush said: “We know there was some kind of altercation in the Dali Bar whereby two men were asked to leave due to their behaviour.

“There were dozens of people here coming out of the bar and these people were literally knocked down like skittles. A really, really deliberate act. There’s no doubt about that.”

A hospital spokesman said that walking wounded also attended Rochdale Infirmary. He added: “The North West Ambulance Service sent nine ambulances and 14 casualties were taken to three hospitals — with only about four being admitted.

Det Insp Darren Meeks said: “To deliberately drive a car along a crowded pavement is incomprehensibly dangerous and reckless.

“Fourteen people were injured as a result of this driver’s actions, some of them seriously and we are doing all we can to identify who is responsible.”

People with information should contact greater Manchester Police on 0161-872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.