Family pay tribute to dad-of-four taxi driver killed in Bolton horror crash

Taxi driver Masrob Ali, of Ash Street, Blackburn, died when his Citroen C4 Picasso was in collision with a Seat Leon in Wigan Road, Bolton, at 12.44am on Sunday, January 11.

The three men in the Seat Leon who died were Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali, 19, Farhan Patel, 18 and Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, 18, all of Bolton.

Five people, including four of Mr Ali’s passengers, were injured in the crash, with one, a 29-year-old woman, suffering potentially life-threatening injuries.

A 28-year-old woman and a man, 30, suffered serious injuries, and a 29-year-old man has minor injuries.

An 18-year-old man, who was a passenger in the Seat, remains in hospital for treatment on minor injuries.

All the families of those who died are being supported by specially-trained officers, said police.

Mr Ali, 54, grew up in Blackburn after coming to the UK from Bangladesh in the early 80s. He had two daughters and two sons, the youngest of which is 13.

Friends from across the UK have been heading to Blackburn as news of the tragedy spread.

Family members paid tribute to Mr Ali today following the shocking crash.

Mr Ali’s nephew, Shahid Ali, said: “He was a wonderful human being and someone who was so humble.

“We knew each other all our lives and also worked together. Nobody ever had a bad word to say against him.

“The family is devastated with the loss of such a wonderful man who would go out of his way to help anyone.”

Shahid said many people in Blackburn will know him from the Roe Lee Takeaway and the Sylhet Restaurant in Langho where he worked as a chef and also co-owned.

Shahid added: “He worked in Blackburn and Darwen. He had in recent years started working as a taxi driver.”

MORE: Everything so far on fatal Wigan Road, Bolton crash

Mr Ali’s daughter, Humayra, said: “Nobody has a bad word to say against him. He was so kind and the best dad.”

She added: “Dad was such a safe driver, and even when we said we were worried something might happen, he would say ‘don’t worry about me’.”

Funeral details for Mr Ali have yet to be announced.

Mr Ali was a regular at the Masjid Al-Momineen in Ash Street, just down the road from his family’s home.

The mosque said fellow worshippers would remember his ‘calm manner, his humility, and sincerity’.

The mosque said in a statement: “Our community is deeply saddened by the passing of Masrob Ali, who tragically lost his life in a collision this week.

“He was a familiar and comforting presence in our mosque – a man of few words, but immense character.

“Quiet by nature, he spoke only when something truly needed to be said. Those who knew him will remember his calm manner, his humility, and the sincerity with which he carried himself.

“His regular attendance and steady devotion were a quiet inspiration to many.

“He leaves behind a space that feels noticeably emptier, and a community that will miss him more than words can express.

“We pray that the Almighty grants him mercy, forgives his shortcomings, and grants patience and strength to his family and loved ones.

“May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to be a source of blessing.”

Bastwell and Daisyfield ward councillor Shaukat Hussain said: “Both the communities of Blackburn and Bolton are in mourning today

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.

“Masrob Ali lived in my ward. He was a hard-working family man just out doing his job when the tragedy struck. My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with his family.

“His work colleagues are devastated and still trying to come to terms with what has happened; they are quite distressed at the moment.”

In a further statement today, Cllr Altaf ‘Tiger’ Patel, himself also a taxi driver, said: “This has been extremely shocking and distressing for everyone.

“Such a loss of life and four families have been left devastated.”

Councillor Mustafa Desai, leader of the 4BwD group, said: “I’m shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic incident that has claimed the lives of four people, including three teenagers and a taxi driver.”

One resident who lives near the crash site said they heard a loud bang when the crash happened.

Police, fire crews and paramedics were all called to the scene, with firefighters needing to use specialist equipment to cut casualties out of the wreckage.

Detective Inspector Andrew Page, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “We are still in the early stages of our investigation and work is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this terrible incident.

“As an investigation team, we would encourage people to be mindful of sharing footage on social media, given the impact this will have on all the families involved in such a tragic incident. Sharing such footage could constitute a criminal offence.”

Anyone who saw either vehicle before the collision, witnessed the incident, or has dashcam or CCTV footage is urged to come forward.

Information can be given directly to police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of January 11, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source – INDIA TV