An elderly man is in a critical condition fighting for his life after sustaining serious head injuries following a crash in Farnworth yesterday.

Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses and are looking to speak with people who were in a dark coloured Mercedes Benz SUV yesterday, who could be key witnesses.

A silver VW Golf collided with a grey Vauxhall Astra which was pulling out of Bentley Street at about 11.45am.

The driver of the Astra — a man in his 70s — suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Salford Royal Hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition.

Two men — aged 20 and 23 — were arrested a short time later on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

They remain in custody for questioning.

PC Paul Shore, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “An elderly man is currently fighting for his life and we are doing everything we can to support his family.

“We have been investigating at the scene but ultimately we do need witnesses to come forward to tell us what they saw.

“I would like to appeal directly to the occupants of a dark coloured Mercedes Benz SUV as I believe they could be key witnesses, but would like to stress that they aren’t in any trouble.

“I would also urge anyone else who saw the collision take place or both the cars beforehand to please get in touch. Any information and dash-cam footage could prove vital to our investigation.”

Market Street in Farnworth was shut all afternoon yesterday while officers investigated the scene.

Nearby Farnworth Central Park was also searched by officers and sniffer dogs.

Anyone with any information should call SCIU on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 740 of 10 April 2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.