THESE dramatic images show the moment a car lost control, hitting a lamppost and tree before flipping on its side in a residential street in Breightmet.

Neighbours rushed to free the trapped driver and passenger as emergency services arrived on scene at around 6pm on Thursday.

Residents said it was sheer luck that no children, many of who were playing on the street outside their homes, were not hit.

One resident who did not want to be named said: "I was sat on the couch and heard the screech before the car hit the lamppost and the tree before it went over.

"We asked if they man and woman in the car were okay before smashing the windows to get them out.

"One of the neighbours cut his hand as he tried to free them."

He added: "It is just luck that no one was seriously injured, children were playing football outside or it went into one of the properties."

A parent said: "Someone was watching over us that evening.

"It could have been a completely different story this morning."

Firefighters, police and ambulance were called to the scene, where they treated one of the residents for a hand injury.

Fire crews cordoned off the scene as the vehicle was blocking the narrow street and made the Ford Escort safe.

The lamppost has been removed from the scene and the area made safe.

A police spokesman said: "The driver has been reported for road traffic offences."

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.