THREE people died when their stolen car smashed into a lamp-post on the M66 slip road at Pilsworth, Bury, while being followed by a police car.

And a fourth occupant, who sustained serious injuries in Wednesday morning's horror accident, (April 30) is recovering in Fairfield General Hospital where he is detained in the intensive care unit.

The Austin Metro, which had been stolen from Rochdale on April 13, was spotted by a police patrol on the A56 at Whitefield.

Police followed it on to the east-bound carriageway of the M62 before the stolen car sped on to the north-bound carriageway of the M66.

Later, after the Metro went on to the exit slip road at Pilsworth, the driver lost control and ploughed into the lamp standard.

Killed were driver Glynn Farren (19) from Salford, together with Lee Hill (16) and 21-year-old Anthony Nardonie, who both lived in Rochdale.

The fourth occupant, who was thrown from the vehicle on impact, was Andrew Crane (22), from Littleborough, who sustained fractures and head injuries.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "When the driver saw the police vehicle, it sped off. The police vehicle was some distance behind."

Local fire and ambulance crews rushed to the scene. A fire brigade spokesman said the car was "unrecognisable" due to the extent of the damage.

Det Sgt Mick Baker at Bury police said: "This highlights the danger that young people seem to ignore when driving stolen cars, both to themselves and other members of the public.

"When driven at high speeds, a car is a lethal weapon."

The Austin Metro in which the four were being driven, was being followed by a police vehicle. The lamp-post had severely bent on impact. Firemen removed the three bodies from the car while paramedics tended the survivor.

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