Tragedy as crash passenger dies

The 16-year-old, who has been named locally as Elise Kelly, was a passenger in a blue BMW which hit a bollard and demolished a section of wall in Lower Ince.

She suffered serious injuries and was put on a spinal board by paramedics and taken to hospital, where she died.

Her family was too distressed to speak publicly about the tragedy and asked to be left alone to grieve.

The incident took place on Warrington Road at around 3.30am on Saturday.

Another young woman who was in the car escaped with minor injuries and a third passenger left the scene before the emergency services arrived.

The driver of the car, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

The car is thought to have been travelling towards Wigan town centre when the collision occurred.

The authorities’ handling of the collision is also under scrutiny as the case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) due to earlier police contact.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is appealing for information and has asked witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on 0161 856 4741.