A recognition event at Bolton Town Hall paid tribute to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) personnel who attended a fatal collision on Wigan Road, Rumworth, on 11 January that resulted in the deaths of four men and left five other people injured.
Community remembers victims and responders
The ceremony on Monday 20 July brought together the Mayor of Bolton, civic representatives and emergency service colleagues to acknowledge the efforts and the lasting emotional impact experienced by officers who worked at the scene. Local councillors representing the Rumworth ward attended to show solidarity with residents affected by the crash.
“Being at Bolton Town Hall with the Mayor and colleagues was deeply emotional for me, because this tragedy happened in Rumworth... We must never take our emergency services for granted,”
The remarks were delivered by Cllr Ayyub Patel, who represented the ward where the collision occurred. He described the day responders faced as carrying burdens that are rarely seen by the public, praising their compassion and dignity.
Details of the collision and its immediate aftermath
Emergency services were called after a red Seat Leon and a Citroën C4 Picasso collided on Wigan Road. Four men died at the scene or subsequently: Masrob Ali, 54; Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, 18; Farhan Patel, 18; and Mohammad Danyaal Asghar-Ali, 19. Five passengers from the vehicles were taken to hospital for treatment.
- Event: Recognition ceremony for GMFRS crews
- Date of incident: 11 January
- Ceremony date: 20 July
- Location of crash: Wigan Road, Rumworth
| Victim | Age |
|---|---|
| Masrob Ali | 54 |
| Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar | 18 |
| Farhan Patel | 18 |
| Mohammad Danyaal Asghar-Ali | 19 |
Impact on emergency crews and local communities
Those who attended the ceremony emphasised the emotional toll such incidents take on first responders as well as affected families. Attendees said the recognition was intended to thank crews not only for their operational bravery but also for the emotional resilience needed to support people in distressing circumstances.
Local councillors reinforced that community support for emergency services remains strong and that the contribution of firefighters and other frontline staff goes beyond immediate lifesaving work to providing comfort to families and stabilising the scene during traumatic events.
The event comes months after the collision shocked the neighbourhood and prompted a visible emergency response. While formal investigations and any inquests into the deaths would be handled by the appropriate authorities, the civic recognition highlighted the broader human cost of serious road collisions—on victims, families, neighbours and the emergency personnel who respond.
Anyone affected by the incident and seeking support is advised to contact local council services or charity helplines for bereavement and trauma support. Local councillors and community groups continue to be active in Rumworth as the area recovers.
