THE driver of a taxi involved in a head-on crash in Bolton has told how he was so scared he prayed for his family to survive the impact.

Mr Ismail Patel was driving his 22-month-old daughter Fatima, who was in the front passenger seat, and his five-months' pregnant wife Yasmin, aged 39, into Bolton to see members of their family on Friday at about 5.20pm.

As he drove down St Helens Road, he saw a vehicle on the other side of the road drift towards him before they collided, spinning Mr Patel's vehicle around to face the opposite way.

All three members of the family went to Royal Bolton Hospital to be checked over, but miraculously escaped without injuries.

Mr Patel, who is known to friends as Sikendar, said: "I remember praying for my family as the car headed towards me. I told myself, 'oh my goodness we're going to die'.

"My baby was in the front with me in the car chair and my wife was in the back. I am just so grateful that they are all fine."

Mr Patel, aged 52, from Preston, said: "I was only going about 25 miles an hour and I saw this other car coming at me. I didn't know whether they were just being silly or whether something was wrong.

"Next thing I know, it's hit me and my car spun round to face the other way. It was terrifying."

The road was closed in both directions for a short time while police and recovery vehicles moved the cars.

Witnesses at the scene said they saw the driver of the Ford Mondeo car collapsed at the wheel, however this is yet to be confirmed.

A third vehicle was also believed to have been involved.

A police spokesman said: "A three-vehicle road traffic collision happened at about 5.20pm."