Update on serious road traffic incident in Rochdale
A serious road traffic incident in Rochdale involved a car colliding with four pedestrians at two locations, Woodgate Avenue and Whitworth Road. Three people sustained minor injuries on Woodgate Avenue, while a woman on Whitworth Road died from her injuries. The 49-year-old male driver was arrested on suspicion of assault, attempted murder, and murder. The incident is not terrorism-related and is separate from a pre-planned Counter Terrorism operation that led to the arrest of a 40-year-old Iranian man on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The Major Incident Team is leading the investigation, and authorities have reassured the public of ongoing safety efforts.
Rochdale, 4 May — A woman has died and four other pedestrians were injured after a car struck them at two separate locations in Rochdale yesterday afternoon, police confirmed.
The fatal collision occurred on Whitworth Road, where the woman was airlifted to hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. Three people, including a child, sustained minor injuries in a separate incident on Woodgate Avenue. All have since been discharged from hospital.
Greater Manchester Police arrested a 49-year-old man at the scene. He was initially held on suspicion of assault and attempted murder, but following the woman’s death, officers added a murder allegation. He remains in custody.
Assistant Chief Constable John Webster stressed the events are not terror-related and are unconnected to a concurrent Counter Terrorism Policing operation that saw a 40-year-old Iranian man detained elsewhere in Rochdale on Saturday evening. That arrest relates to an alleged plot to target a specific premises.
Webster appealed for calm amid online speculation. “The suspect is a white male currently in custody,” he said. “I want to reassure the public that this is being treated as an isolated incident.”
The Major Incident Team has closed both scenes and reopened surrounding roads. Investigators urge anyone with mobile, dash-cam or witness footage to upload it via the force’s Major Incident Portal.
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