A DRIVER was seriously injured after a car hit a parked vehicle and smashed into a tree.

Emergency services were called to Southfield Drive in Westhoughton at around 1.20am today.

The roof of the car was cut off by firefighters to free the trapped man.

The 39-year-old was taken to hospital by ambulance with a number of fractures to his lower body. 

Police have now said that the driver suffered internal bleeding that has been deemed potentially life-threatening and he remains in a critical condition in hospital. 

A male 43-year-old passenger managed to get himself out of the car but suffered a fractured wrist.

Residents, who ran to the aid of the two men, said their homes shook following the collision.

Joanne Welsby, aged 39, was sleeping upstairs when the crash took place.

She said: “The house shook, it hit the tree so hard.

“I just saw the car wrapped around the tree and the driver stuck inside.

“I started shouting to partner and son who were downstairs that there was someone in the car.

“Other people came running, and there was another couple trying to open the door to get the driver out.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, talked to the driver while waiting for the emergency services.

She said: “We were woken up by a really really loud bang. We got dressed and went outside. I was talking to the driver, trying to keep him awake.

“He was in a pretty bad way, he had pretty serious injuries.”

Police closed the road until around 8am while the vehicles were recovered.

Staff from Bolton Council attended and put down sand and cleared up the debris.

Craig Cubbins, watch manager at Hindley fire station, urged drivers to make sure they always drive to the conditions and to wear a seatbelt.

Police are asking any witnesses to the crash to come forward and get in touch with GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4745.