Woman in hospital with suspected spinal injuries after car crash in Brownlow Fold

The woman, who was driving a Renault Megane, had to be cut free by firefighters after the crash in Vernon Street at about 9.30am today.

The accident, which also involved a Nissan X Trail, happened outside the Royal Hotel, at the junction of Davenport Street.

It is thought that one of the vehicles was pulling out of Davenport Street and the other was travelling along Vernon Street when they smashed into each other.

The Nissan driver, a man, was uninjured and was able to drive the car away after police lifted the cordon.

The collision caused severe damage to the rear of the driver's side of the Megane, and the vehicle was recovered after investigations were carried out.

Firefighters spent about 30 minutes cutting the woman, aged in her late 20s, out of the car, removing almost the entire roof, and she was said to be conscious and breathing, but shocked and complaining of back pain.

She was taken to the trauma unit at Salford Royal Hospital for treatment.

Three fire engines, a police van, a police motorbike and an ambulance were sent to the scene and the road has been closed while the emergency services deal with the incident.

Bolton Central watch manager Tony McKenna said: "The driver of the Nissan was ok and was actually out of his vehicle prior to our arrival.

"The lady in the Renault has suspected spinal injuries and has been taken to hospital.

"The road will remain closed pending further investigations.

"We have had to cut the t-posts off and taken her out on a spinal board."

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 9.43am to a two-vehicle collision.

"The lady involved was trapped in the car and was complaining of back pain.

"A road closure was put in place until the recovery operation was complete."

Philip MacDougall, who lives in Davenport Street, saw the carnage left by the crash.

He said: "I was playing my music this morning and never heard the bang.

"But then I went out and saw the mess.

"The whole back of the car is ripped off.

"She was carried out on a stretcher with an oxygen mask."

Two fire crews from Bolton Central and a specialist unit from Leigh were dispatched to the scene.