Woman with COPD left breathless after 'dangerous driver' reverses into her car three times

The driver of an Audi reversed into another car three times leaving the occupant, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) shaken and having problems breathing.

Sylvia Howarth was driving alone on Thursday 13 October from Rochdale to Littleborough on Todmorden Road behind the Audi, registration KX56 YYB, when traffic came to a standstill. The Audi reversed into her car three times, pushing her back into two other cars, causing damage to her vehicle.

Daughter Tracie Thomson said: “Mum suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and was having problems breathing. She’s still shaken, it was traumatic and scary for her.”

Sylvia is urging anyone who sees the car to report it to the police. She said: “I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through.”

Earlier the same day, four eyewitnesses also spotted the car driving on the wrong side of Whitelees Road, overtaking vehicles before jumping red traffic lights at Halifax Road and Birch Road.

Another eyewitness said: “I was at the junction for Rochdale Road and Albert Royds Street after picking the kids up from school. Oncoming traffic from Newbold was heavy and the Audi jumped into the next lane at speed and drove through the box whilst the lights were on red.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called at around 3.30pm on Thursday 13 October to a report of damage to a vehicle on Todmorden Road, Littleborough.

“Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”