PUB TRAGEDY
Woman in her 40s killed and two injured after car crashes into crowd outside pub in hit-and-run
A WOMAN has died and two others are seriously injured following a horror smash outside a Wigan pub last night.
Cops launched an overnight hunt for the driver of a silver Land Rover Freelander who is believed to have mounted a pavement in Ormskirk Road and ploughed into three pedestrians.
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The motorist failed to stop at the scene of the tragedy.
Detectives announced this morning that a woman in her 40s was killed in the crash at 9.20pm.
Two men were seriously injured and remain in hospital.
Officers have arrested two men on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
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The pair are in custody this morning.
The street is closed and drivers are advised to take alternative routes.
Damage has been caused to pub Fifteens. Witnesses say punters often gather on the pavement outside to smoke and chat on busy nights.
One eyewitness said the driver of the Land Rover had "several" passengers in the back of the car he ploughed into revellers.
"There was a guy at the wheel and several girls in the car," they said.
"Suddenly the engine revved up and it flew forward at terrific speed and hit three people.
HORROR AT PUB
"Two of them were okay, but there was a lady who was very badly injured, and we heard she had died a short time later.
"The driver of the car got out and ran off, leaving the girls in the car.
"They eventually got out too and left but their parents brought them back to the scene.
"It was absolutely horrible."
One couple they were watching TV in their flat, opposite the pub, when they heard an "almighty bang".
"We ran to the window and could see the lamppost was rocking," they said.
The driver ran off, leaving some girls in the car. They eventually left too, but their parents brought them back to the scene
The pair saw a man lying in the middle of the road and a woman on the pavement.
They allege they spotted "two lads jump out of the car and run away down an alley" before a group of men chased them down and "pinned one to the ground".
PC Oliver Batty, from Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, urged anyone with information to come forward.
“Our thoughts are with the woman’s family who are understandably devastated by the circumstances of how their loved one has lost their life," he said.
“We immediately launched an investigation into the circumstances and the road has been closed for some time whilst we carried out a number of enquiries.
“We’re keen to hear from anyone who may have any information or dash-cam footage that may be able to assist with our investigation and give the woman’s family the answers they deserve.
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“In particular, anyone who may have seen a silver Land Rover Freelander in the area of Ormskirk Road in the minutes leading up to this incident is urged to contact us.
“Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 4741 or report it online or via LiveChat at .”
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