Pedestrians 'mowed down' in town

Scene of crime officers in Town Hall Square - looking down from the Flying Horse to the Litten Tree

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At least a dozen people have been injured, some seriously, following an incident in Town Hall Square in the early hours of this morning.

Eye witnesses describe a car mounting the pavement close to the Flying Horse at around 1.30am and "mowing down pedestrians" outside the clubs and bars along the Square. 

One eye witness said: “It was horrific, no one had time to jump out of the way; he just mowed them down.”

Dozens of police are at the scene, including the tactical aid unit and scene of crime officers.

Andrew Smith of Wardle witnessed the carnage, he said: “I was walking across to the Litten Tree and I heard a bang and looked right and there was a car speeding down the pavement from the direction of the Flying Horse, it already had four or five people strewn across the bonnet; as the car careered down the pavement people were just being pinged up in the air and thrown over the bonnet. One guy was under the back wheels for about ten yards before he was thrown clear. He looked lifeless and had blood pouring out of his ears and nose. Another girl’s leg was wrapped up around her head."

Police have confirmed at least a dozen known to be injured. They refused to confirm if the car driver has been apprehended saying: “enquiries are ongoing”, but it is understood that at the time of publishing (4.36am) the driver has not been arrested but police have a description and are believed to know the driver’s identity.

Around ten “walking wounded” have been treated at Rochdale Infirmary. With the Infirmary A&E closed to ambulances at night the seriously injured have been ferried to either Fairfield Hospital in Bury or Oldham Royal Infirmary.