A TAXI driver has died and his passenger is fighting for her life after a crash in the early hours of this morning.

The crash happened just before 4am in Twist Lane at the junction with Kendal Grove in Leigh.

A silver Vauxhall Astra and a silver Ford Mondeo taxi are believed to have been involved in a head-on collision.

The driver of the taxi, a 59-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 23-year-old woman, the passenger, is said to be in a critical condition.

The driver of the Astra, a 34-year-old man, was taken to hospital. He suffered serious injuries.

Firefighters from Hindley and Leigh attended the crash. The woman had been removed from the wreckage prior to their arrival. They stayed at the scene for about 45 minutes.

PC Paul Hailwood, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Emergency services were quickly on the scene to provide assistance to these people this morning, but sadly a man has died and a woman is critically ill in hospital, and our thoughts are with both of their families at this traumatic time.

“We are making enquiries into the circumstances leading up to this collision and are asking for any witnesses that saw either the Astra or the Mondeo taxi driving shortly before this incident occurred, to contact us.”

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Watch manager Michael Wilding, from Hindley Fire Station, said: “We extricated one person from the Vauxhall Astra with cutting equipment. The driver was unconscious but came to and was conscious and breathing and he had injuries.

“The woman was already out of the taxi when we arrived. The paramedics did a brilliant job.”

Road closures remain in place in Wigan Road and Twist Lane in both directions while police investigate between Firs Lane and Atherleigh Way, Parsonage Way and Findlay Street. Traffic delays are expected between Leigh and Hindley Green.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at the serious collision investigation unit on 0161 856 4741/4745.