Hundreds of mourners gathered in Blackburn and Bolton this week to say a final farewell to the four lives lost in a devastating head-on crash on Wigan Road, Bolton, in the early hours of Sunday, January 12. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 54-year-old taxi driver Masrob Ali and three teenagers from the other vehicle: Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, 18, Farhan Patel, 18, and Mohammed Danyaal Asghar Ali, 19.

Masrob Ali, a devoted father-of-four who had emigrated from Bangladesh at age 12, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Citroen C4 Picasso was struck by a Seat Leon. His funeral on Wednesday, January 14, saw an estimated 600 mourners travel from across the UK to the Masjid-e-Sajedeen Islamic Centre in Blackburn. His eldest daughter, Humayra, paid an emotional tribute, describing him as 'the gentlest soul' and praised police for their compassion in allowing them to see her father in the mortuary. A private burial followed at Pleasington Cemetery. Earlier, a joint funeral for the three teenagers was held on Tuesday, January 13, at the Zakariyya Jaam'e Masjid in Bolton. Friends of Mohammed Danyaal Asghar Ali have since launched a fundraising page in his memory.

The crash has brought to light serious concerns regarding reckless driving and road safety. Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, believed to have been driving the Seat Leon, had a history of dangerous driving. His older brother, Miraj, 21, who runs Narkos High Performance Tuning – a garage specializing in performance modifications – had repeatedly warned him about his habits. Screenshots of their WhatsApp exchange, shared by Miraj on TikTok, included a stark message: "180 mph one mistake tyre blows or car comes in front. Dead & in pieces. Be smarter." A family friend further revealed that Jibril "liked to drive at crazy speeds" and had an accident a month prior where he "flipped the car," suggesting he "clearly hadn't learnt his lesson." Jibril frequently posted videos of his heavily modified car on social media, showcasing its loud engine and cosmetic upgrades.

Further investigations have uncovered disturbing pre-crash events. Police are examining video footage believed to show the Seat Leon being driven at 122mph through a built-up area at approximately 3 am on Saturday, less than 24 hours before the fatal collision. CCTV footage of Sunday's crash itself reportedly shows the Seat Leon travelling at speed on the wrong side of the 30mph Wigan Road before the head-on impact. Following the tragedy, Miraj issued a public apology to Masrob Ali's family on TikTok, acknowledging his brother made "a huge, huge mistake" and urging other drivers to think "before it's too late."

The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Serious Collision Investigation Unit, led by Detective Inspector Andrew Page, confirmed the investigation is in its early stages. They are appealing for witnesses who saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or have dashcam/CCTV footage. GMP also cautioned the public against sharing footage on social media, noting it could constitute a criminal offense and cause further distress to the affected families. Emergency services, including Bolton district police, the Road Policing Unit, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and North West Ambulance Service, were praised for their rapid and professional response to the challenging scene.

Beyond the fatalities, five other passengers sustained injuries. In Masrob Ali's taxi, a 29-year-old woman suffered potentially life-threatening injuries, a 28-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man sustained serious injuries, and a 29-year-old man had minor injuries. An 18-year-old passenger in the Seat Leon also suffered minor injuries. Updates on their conditions have not been released since Monday.

The "devastating" incident has intensified calls for immediate action on Wigan Road. Bolton Council issued a statement acknowledging the "unimaginable loss" and committing to assist those impacted, promising to review any contributing factors. Coun Rabiya Jiva conveyed the council's commitment to action any recommendations from a detailed review by the Greater Manchester Road Safety partnership. Concerned residents have launched a petition titled ‘Install speed cameras and safety measures on Wigan Road, Bolton,’ which quickly garnered hundreds of signatures. The petition highlights dozens of serious accidents over the past five years and the council's perceived inaction despite repeated concerns about speeding and dangerous driving. It urges for the installation of speed or average-speed cameras, increased enforcement, a full road-safety review, and additional traffic-calming measures.