A GARAGE mechanic was one of the three men killed when their sports car crashed into an electricity sub-station.

Ricardo Czutkowna, known as Rick, died when the red soft-top Porsche 944 clipped a bus shelter and spun across a grass verge before hitting the sub-station.

All three men inside the car, aged in their 20s and 30s, were killed instantly after the car flipped on to its roof and burst into flames.

They were understood to have been lifelong friends.

Today police were contacting next of kin and using dental records to identify the victims before formally releasing their identities.

Mr Czutkowna, aged 29, a former Thornleigh College pupil, was a mechanic at J and A Garage in All Saints Street in Bolton town centre. The garage is owned by his father Adam.

Today the family, at their home in High Bank, Bromley Cross, were too upset to comment.

The crash has stunned the community. A neighbour said: "We knew about the horrific accident but had no idea who had been involved. We did see the police at the family's house but didn't know why. This must be absolutely dreadful for them."

Traffic police are trying to trace the driver and passengers of one of two cars seen near the scene of the accident in Blackburn Road, Sharples, at 2.15am yesterday.

The driver of a dark coloured Mondeo has been identified but police are still appealing for the driver of a dark green Vauxhall Vectra to contact them.

It is thought that the car was going faster than the 30mph speed limit.

Traffic sergeant Ken Carter said: "The difficulty is that at that time of night not many people would have been around but someone may have seen it out of their window.

"We would like to speak to anyone who saw what happened."

Anyone with information should ring the traffic unit on 0161 856 8972.