FIVE people were taken to hospital after a three-car smash involving a driver attempting to flee police.

Officers had tried to flag down a Vauxhall Astra just outside the town centre — but the car drove off crashing into a Ford Transit van and a Volkswagen Golf.

The smash happened at the junction of Fletcher Street and Lever Street, just outside the town centre, at 11.30am.

The driver of the van, two people in the Astra and one of passengers in the Golf managed to get out of their vehicles.

Firefighters from Bolton Central freed two other people trapped in the Golf.

Watch manager Tony McKenna said: “The driver in the Golf had suspected head injuries and the passenger in the rear had pelvic and abdominal injuries.

“Five out of the six were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from suspected chest injuries and one with a suspected broken arm.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police are investigating after a collision in Bolton.

“At about 11.30am police flagged down a black Vauxhall Astra at the junction of Lever Street and Fletcher Street.

“The car stopped but then pulled off again and collided with a VW Golf and a Transit van.

“Our enquiries are ongoing.”

Nearby residents said they have been calling for traffic calming measures on the road, which they described as a “rat run”.

One resident said: “I heard the horrendous bang and just thought oh there has been another crash.

“They happen so often, something needs to be done to make this road safer.”

The 66-year-old added: “I have lived here 40 years and do not feel safe anymore.

“I ripped up my garden so I could have a driveway put in for my car, because cars just drive down here so fast.”

A neighbour added: “Crashes on this road are no longer a surprise, you expect it.

“Only last week I was walking on the pavement and was nearly hit after a crash.

“I’m scared to let my grandchildren play in the garden because a car could come crashing through.

“This is one of the worst roads in the borough and nothing has been done to make it safer.

“Why can’t we have speed cameras, and traffic lights at the junction at Lever Street? Cars just come straight over.

“It's a rat run — it is only a matter time before someone is killed."

A 21-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failure to stop, and theft of a motor vehicle and a 17-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.