THE inquests into the deaths of two brothers killed in a horror crash have been opened.

Brothers Scott Best, aged 27, of Summerville Road, Little Hulton, and Robert Crooks, aged 33, of Kenyon Grove, Little Hulton, died after the Audi S4 Quattro they were travelling in burst into flames on Thursday, February 7. The car crashed into parked cars in Leigh Road, Boothstown, after reportedly driving at speeds of up to 100mph before it smashed into a wall, flipped over and exploded into a ball of flames at 8.35pm.

Just minutes before the crash, the brothers, along with another man, stole the red Audi from a house in Boscombe Gardens. It is believed they had threatened to shoot a neighbour, who was putting the bins out.

Two men were seen getting out of a Vauxhall Vectra before the burglary.

The Vectra was later found abandoned in Worsley.

A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft of a motor vehicle has been bailed until March 26 pending further inquiries. The brothers’ injuries were so severe they were unable to be identified until several days after the crash. Inquests into both men’s deaths were opened on Thursday and was adjourned.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the aggravated burglary in Farnworth, and anyone who may have seen the cars driving at speed and anyone who saw the Vectra being abandoned.n Anyone with information should call the police on 0161 8564741 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.