Ford Focus split in two in '70mph smash'

A high-powered sports car ended up in two pieces after the driver apparently lost control on a bend and smashed into a bus stop.

The souped-up Ford Focus was reportedly said to be travelling at up to 70mph along Market Street, near Rochdale, Greater Manchester, when it crashed by the Birches Hotel on Sunday night.

Witnesses say the driver managed to crawl out of the wreckage before fleeing the scene.

A second teenager also escaped from the crashed car and then ran away.

Police were called and scrambled their helicopter to search for pair, believed to be aged around 17 or 18.

The road was closed in both directions for around six hours.

Resident Andi Jackson, who lives on Market Street, said it was a miracle that nobody had been sat in the bus stop at the time.

The 45-year-old said:

A spokesman for Lancashire Police confirmed they were called to the scene at around 8.45pm on Sunday.

They added:

Market Street was reopened just before 3am this morning (Monday).