Up to 12 police cars reported at scene in Moss Bank Way after two women from Burnden Road Runners struck by car

A 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene, and remains in custody where he is being questioned by police.

The women, aged 23 and 25, were taken to hospital with serious leg injuries. One of the injured runners, who were members of the Burnden Road Runners club, was Jessica Sammon, the girlfriend of club chairman Rob Short. The other victim is one of Jessica's friends, Laura.

Prayers are with Jess and Laura I hope you both recover soon ❤️ https://t.co/dsGYfHvAKI

— Helen Moore (@HelenMoore3) March 8, 2016

The Ford Fiesta ended up on its roof, half on the road and half on the pavement, in Moss Bank Way, close to the junction with Knott Lane at just after 8pm.

It is understood the women are members of the Burnden Road Runners club and were out on a run at the time of the incident.

Moss Bank Way resident Ann Crawshaw was one of the first few people on the scene after the car hit her garden gates, and described seeing one of the women injured in the garden and the other on the roadside.

She said: “I just heard this big bang and when I looked out of the window all I saw was a car upturned on the road.

“I didn’t realise there was a lady lying under the garden bush until I came outside and saw someone with her. Apparently it was her first time out running.

 “The other lady was on the pavement. People from across the road brought blankets and I brought some out too to cover them up until the ambulance arrived.

“It was chockablock, there must have been about 15 police and paramedics, and there were people everywhere.”

A witness, who didn’t want to be named, added: “The car in question was driving up Moss Bank Way and mounted the path.

“The joggers were walking down Moss Bank Way and the car mowed them down.

“I was one of the first on scene. I was with the victims and spoke to them. They were both awake and alert.”

The witness said one of the women was laid on the path and was more injured than the other runner.

“She had an injured leg and was in a lot of pain,” said the eyewitness.

The other injured jogger struck by the car landed a short distance away in a garden.

“She was bleeding from her head and couldn't feel her left or right leg,” said the eyewitness.

Moss Bank Way was shut, between Chorley Old Road in Doffcocker and Captain Clough Road near Smithills, but reopened around 11pm.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing up to 12 police cars on the scene of the collision.

Road closed Mossbank Way JNC Chorley old rd and Moss bank way JNC Captains clough rd Bolton due to police incident pic.twitter.com/Y4NEjTEtHV

— GMP Traffic (@gmptraffic) March 7, 2016

@TheBoltonNews overturned car moss bank way 2 girls hit one in a ambulance pic.twitter.com/QnL331t0dn

— Anthony Bonzer (@Anthony_mvs) March 7, 2016

If you have any pictures or video or any more details, e-mail ian.proctor@nqnw.co.uk. Many thanks to everyone who has contacted us already.