The brother of a teenage driver killed in a fatal crash has issued a public apology to the family of a Blackburn taxi driver who was also killed, as police inquiries continue.
Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, 18, is believed to have been driving a red Seat Leon, which collided head-on with a Citroen C4 Picasso taxi, in Bolton, in the early hours of Sunday morning (January 11),
Mr Mukhtar was killed alongside his friends Farhan Patel, 18, and Mohammed Danyaal, 19.
The taxi driver, Marob Ali, 54, from Blackburn, also died in the crash on Wigan Road.
Five passengers from both vehicles also remain in hospital receiving treatment, police have said.
In a series of publicly available videos posted online on Wednesday (January 14), a man identifying himself as Mr Mukhtar’s older brother issued an apology directly to Mr Ali’s family.
He said: “This video is dedicated only to the taxi driver.
“I don’t know the family, he was 54 years old. A specific apology to his daughters, son and wife.
"I really, really am sorry for the family and really apologetic. I know it is a massive, massive loss and there's nothing we can do as a family."
He described the crash as the result of a “huge, huge mistake” made by his brother and said it had affected many lives.
He also said: “My brother, the son of my mum and dad, is the same blood as me.
“He made a huge, huge mistake that has obviously impacted everyone’s lives.”
The man said he had repeatedly warned his younger brother about his driving and claimed he had tried to intervene.
He added: “As a big brother, I tried my best, honestly, I promise I tried my best.
“Advising him, telling him to slow down, slow down. Try to chill out, calm down, don’t do those speeds. I said that multiple times.”
He also addressed rumours circulating online about the speed of the vehicle, saying reports suggesting the car was travelling at 122mph were incorrect.
“Just to clarify as well, there’s the rumour of 122 miles per hour, that is not correct,” he said.
“It doesn’t make it any better, but his real speed was about 90.”
Greater Manchester Police have not confirmed any details regarding speed and said inquiries into the collision remain ongoing.
A clip of a driver going at speeds of more than 120mph on a built-up street is forming part of the probe into the fatal crash.
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It is believed to have been filmed by an occupant of the Seat Leon involved in the fatal crash in Bolton.
The brother also said he hoped the apology would reach Mr Ali’s family and acknowledged that nothing could undo their loss.
He added: “This uncle has passed away and is gone. There is nothing we can do.
“Just take this as his sincere apology, take this as coming from him.”
He said the tragedy had left him with deep regret and many unanswered questions.
“I wish I was with him that day. I wish I had taken him out,” he said.
“I wish his car didn’t start. I wish the police took his car. I wish his car broke down.”
He added: “There are so many wishes I can wish right now, but the decree is the decree.”
Greater Manchester Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and have appealed for witnesses or dashcam footage from the area at the time to come forward.
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