A 12-YEAR-OLD boy is fighting for his life after two cars - thought to have been racing - smashed into another car and ploughed into a group of pedestrians.

Another 50-year-old male pedestrian was also injured in the crash in St Helens Road, Daubhill, at 11.30pm last night.

Two cars, both Vauxhall Astras, were said to have been driven at high speed along St Helens Road before both smashed into another car, a BMW 320, that was pulling into the road.

The force of the crash knocked one of the Astras off the road, where it hit the boy and the man.

A large group of people had recently emerged from a nearby mosque, where they had been breaking their Ramadan fast.

Both injured people were taken to hospital, where the boy is said to be in a critical condition and the man in a stable condition.

Nine other people from the three vehicles suffered minor injuries.

The driver of one of the Astras, a 20-year-old man, is still in hospital, but the other driver walked off while being treated by paramedics.

Police are still trying to trace him.

The accident happened near the junction with Rutland Street.

Sgt Danny Byrne from Greater Manchester Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: “A number of people have been injured and in particular one young boy has been left seriously hurt.

“We have officers with his family and our thoughts are with them at what is obviously an extremely worrying time.

“The fact that they are waiting to hear whether their beloved 12-year-old boy will survive reflects the absolute appalling consequences of driving in such a reckless manner.

“The area was very busy with people leaving the mosque following evening prayers and we believe the two cars initially involved were speeding and most likely racing.

“If anyone saw the incident or the two cars beforehand and is yet to talk to us please get in touch.

“I also want to reassure all those that were present last night and the wider community that officers will be conducting a thorough investigation into this incident.”

Police have closed the road and are directing commuters to an alternative route.

St Helens Road, close to Sunning Hill Primary School, is the worst-affected area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 8564741.

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