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Two hurt in alley crash
Dean Kirby

May 02, 2009

WOMAN and her partner were badly injured in a freak accident with a 4X4 driven by her father.

The pair were trapped beneath his Range Rover after the vehicle hit them while reversing down an alleyway.

The man, aged about 35, suffered severe injuries, and the woman, 37, had multiple leg fractures and an injury to her arm.

It is understood the woman's father had driven the 4x4 into the alley behind his house, in Droylsden, while they were helping him load up rubbish to take to the tip.

They were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary with the woman's mother, 61, who suffered minor injuries when it is thought she jumped clear of the car.

The woman's father was treated for shock at the scene. A wall in the alley collapsed.

The family were too upset at the weekend to talk about the horrific incident, which happened in the alley off Nelson Drive at 10.15am on Saturday.

Jumped clear

It is understood the couple had travelled to Manchester from Scotland to be with the woman's parents for the Bank Holiday weekend.

One neighbour said: "I've never seen anything like that before. The family are devastated by what has happened."

Police officers, firefighters and paramedics were called to the alleyway. The infirmary's accident and emergency department was placed on stand-by.

A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said: "Officers attended and discovered a Range Rover had collided with a man and a woman.

"Both were trapped under the car but have since been removed. They have been taken to hospital for treatment to serious leg injuries. Inquiries are ongoing."

The couple were both still in hospital on Sunday. Police have launched an investigation, but the circumstances are not thought to be suspicious.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters from Philips Park and Ashton used specialist cutting equipment and airbag lifting equipment to free the two injured people, who were taken to hospital by Manchester Royal Infirmary.

"Their injuries are thought to be severe but not life-threatening. This was a complicated rescue due to the position of the vehicle and the restricted space the fire crews and ambulance paramedics had to work in.

"The circumstances are under investigation by the police but at this point it is unclear how the incident occurred."