A BURY nurse died and two passengers were severely injured in a road crash.

Grandmother of three, Mrs Gloria Patricia Bryant, known as Pat to her friends, was killed when her Renault Clio car was in a head-on collision with a Fiat Punto in Middleton early on Saturday.

Her two male passengers, Mr Ronnie Brooks (67) of Albany Drive, Bury, and Mr Brian Worthing (63) from Middleton, were taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital. Mr Brooks is said to be in a critical condition.

Police think the Punto, which was travelling in the direction of Oldham and driven by a 20-year-old man, collided with the Renault head-on and also struck two other cars.

Fifty-seven-year-old Mrs Bryant, of Windermere Drive, Bury, was trapped in her car for 30 minutes before being freed by the emergency services.

She was later pronounced dead at North Manchester General Hospital.

Mrs Bryant's husband, Arthur, is being comforted by their two daughters, Tracy and Kathrine.

Tracy told the Bury Times: "My mum was a regular cards player and she had been playing that night. She was taking a friend home to Middleton when the crash happened.

"It is such a horrible shock for all the family. My mum was beautiful, funny and lovely. She was very active and enjoyed taking her grandchildren out."

Mrs Bryant worked at Bealey Community Hospital in Dumers Lane, Bury. Sister Maureen Cummins said Mrs Bryant's colleagues were stunned by her death.

Mr Brooks' wife, Sylvia, has spent most of the weekend at her husband's hospital bedside. Mr Brooks is retired. The couple have two daughters and two granddaughters.

Rochdale police have launched an appeal for witnesses to the accident.