Driver flees and leaves passenger fighting for life after horror police pursuit crash

Emergency services raced to the horror collision on Drake Street

James Holt Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter

20:51, 05 Jun 2025

A cordon was put in place on Drake Street (Image: JMG Press)

A driver who crashed during a police chase in Rochdale fled the scene and left his passenger with life-threatening injuries on Thursday evening (June 5).

Emergency services raced to the horror collision on Drake Street, at the junction with Milkstone Road, at around 6.15pm. A huge cordon was put in place with an air ambulance also landing nearby.

Officers had sighted a 'suspicious' vehicle and followed it along Drake Street before a short pursuit. The vehicle involved then ploughed into another car, sending the two vehicles spinning and ripping off the front bumper.

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The driver, a male, quickly fled the scene on foot, leaving a passenger, also a male, seriously injured inside the vehicle. He was rushed to hospital where he remains fighting for his life.

Police and paramedics in attendance(Image: JMG Press)

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One person from the other vehicle involved sustained minor injuries in the collision.

A huge emergency services presence descended on the busy route, with a cordon put in place in both directions.

A huge emergency services presence descended on the incident and cordoned off the road(Image: JMG Press)

Multiple ambulances and police vehicles, including officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit were seen conducting enquiries at the scene.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 6.15pm today, officers approached a suspicious vehicle on Drake Street, Rochdale.

An air ambulance was scrambled to the scene(Image: JMG Press)

"The vehicle subsequently made off from police and after a short pursuit, collided with another vehicle.

"The suspected driver made off and a passenger in the vehicle sustained serious, life-threatening injuries. One person from another vehicle received minor injuries.

A huge cordon was put in place (Image: JMG Press)

"A scene is currently in place and we thank nearby residents for their patience as this work is carried out. Enquiries are currently ongoing."

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