Overview
- A van hit a commercial property at the junction of St Helens Road and Morris Green Lane in Daubhill, Bolton at about 2:10am on Monday, causing major damage and an almost complete collapse of the building.
- Greater Manchester Police and fire crews made the scene safe, evacuated nearby residents and cordoned off the area while Bolton Council deployed a building inspector to assess structural risk.
- Police say the damaged property, believed to be an estate agent, was unoccupied so there have been no reports of injuries and residents were allowed to wait outside as checks continued.
- A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of failing to provide a specimen of breath and remains in custody as formal enquiries into the cause of the crash continue.
- The junction remains closed with diversion advice in place and the crash has renewed local concerns about road safety on St Helens Road as authorities decide when the route can safely reopen.