Two women have said they are 'lucky to be alive' after a horror car crash involving a suspected drink driver in Oldham last night.
At approximately 8.40pm on Tuesday (October 17), an alleged intoxicated driver smashed into another car travelling on Ripponden Road near Grains Bar.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the horror smash saw two women taken to hospital with minor injuries while the man from the other vehicle was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
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Chloe Cooper, who was travelling in the car with her best friend, Robyn Mcquaid, said the pair were "inches" away from tragedy and thanked nearby residents for rushing to their aid.
Ms Cooper said: "Thank you to everyone who stopped to help - the community is amazing.
"We're honestly both so lucky.
"I can't thank people there enough for their help, they honestly must have been petrified because I was literally screaming at them to help me speak to the ambulance.
"I managed to call it but I just didn't know where we were - they literally were amazing.
"And to the woman who called my mum - I can't thank you enough. It's not a phone call anyone wants to make to anyone's mother so thank you so much for being able to make it.
"The police have been amazing and got the guy who crashed into us and arrested him."
Ms Cooper also said Ms Mcquaid, who was driving at the time, was taken to hospital via ambulance after the incident while she was escorted by car.
Ms Mcquaid's car is also "completely written off".
The women have been in hospital since the incident but said while neither of them sustained serious injuries they are still "very shaken up and shocked".
Ms Cooper explained: "We're still in a lot of pain and we're having tests done.
"Both very bruised, swollen and having scans and things."
She also praised her friend's "quick reaction" to moving out of the way of the oncoming car as the reason the crash "wasn't deadly".
Ms Cooper added: "She saw him coming onto our side, head on, and tried to swerve to move and he hit us on the driver's side - just three inches made all the difference between life and death.
"We're just trying to think of the positives. We can't even comprehend how lucky we are to be alive."
The incident prompted a huge emergency presence.
Residents estimated to have seen around six emergency vehicles with blue flashing lights heading towards the scene.
Neighbours from Blakelock Street to Moorside said they saw emergency services and "lots of blue lights".
The North West Ambulance Service has been approached for comment.
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