A grieving family has spoken out as police investigate who was driving in the Bolton head-on crash that killed three teenagers and a taxi driver, with CCTV suggesting high speed and wrong-way travel.
WEBDESK – MediaBites – January 13, 2026
A private hire taxi driver described by his family as a “safe driver” was killed along with three teenagers in a head-on collision in Bolton early Sunday, police said, as investigators examine evidence suggesting the other car was speeding and on the wrong side of the road.
The driver of the ill-fated taxi was Masrob Ali, 54, a father of four from Blackburn who had worked as a private hire driver for about a decade. Family members said police told them he died instantly and did not suffer.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the crash occurred at about 12:45 a.m. on Wigan Road, a 30 mph zone. CCTV footage appears to show a red Seat carrying three teenagers traveling at high speed on the wrong side of the road before colliding head-on with Ali’s Citroën C4 Picasso private hire vehicle.
Four people were killed in the collision: Ali and the three occupants of the Seat. Police identified the teenagers as Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, 18; Farhan Patel, 18; and Mohammed Danyaal, 19.
Authorities have not publicly named the driver of the Seat or confirmed whether one of the teenagers was driving at the time. Police also have not confirmed who hired the taxi or the purpose of Ali’s trip, citing the ongoing investigation.
Five additional passengers from both vehicles were taken to hospital. GMP said a 29-year-old woman traveling in the taxi suffered potentially life-threatening injuries, while others sustained serious or minor injuries. An 18-year-old male passenger from the Seat remains hospitalized with minor injuries.
Ali’s daughter, Humayra Ali, said her father was known for his caution behind the wheel. “He was just the kindest man,” she told local media. “Everyone described him as the sweetest, most gentle soul. It’s clear that my dad wasn’t at fault.”
CCTV footage reviewed by investigators shows the Seat striking the taxi with force, spinning across the carriageway and hitting a parked vehicle before coming to rest. Residents reported hearing a loud bang and seeing emergency crews perform CPR at the scene. Firefighters spent about two hours cutting injured passengers from the wreckage, officials said.
GMP confirmed officers are aware of a Snapchat video circulating online that allegedly shows a car traveling at around 120 mph before the crash. Police said it is too early to determine whether the video is connected to the incident.
Chief Inspector Helen McCormack of GMP called the scene “challenging” and urged the public to avoid speculation. Police also debunked rumors that the crash followed a police chase, saying no officers were involved.
The road was closed for more than 14 hours as the Serious Collision Investigation Unit examined the scene. Investigators are appealing for witnesses and dashcam or CCTV footage and warned that sharing graphic footage online could constitute a criminal offense.
The Bolton Council of Mosques said it is supporting the families of the victims and asked the community to pray for them as the investigation continues.
