A CRASH which left four men in hospital may have been caused by two cars racing each other.

Police are looking into the possibility that a Nissan 350z convertible and an unidentified car "were racing or speeding" before the Nissan and a black BMW collided at the junction of Marsden Road, Spa Road, Moor Lane and Deansgate.

The driver of the Nissan, a 58-year-old man, suffered concussion and bruising while the BMW driver, a 76-year-old man, suffered an injury to his ankle in the crash just before 9pm on Friday night.

An 81-year-old man suffered serious facial and ankle injuries and a 58-year-old had minor injuries to his legs. Both were in the BMW. A third passenger, aged 54, had minor injuries.

A police spokesman said: "One line of inquiry is that the Nissan and third car were racing or speeding."

A witness who lives near the crash site in Marsden Road said she heard a "big bang".

Christine Fitton, aged 42, said: "I have heard a few smashes in my time but that was definitely the worst of all. It was horrific. It looked to me like it was head-on because of the damage but I couldn't be sure.

"I didn't see the crash itself but I heard a big bang. We looked out of the window and saw the Nissan near the Gypsies Tent pub and the other car had gone into Marsden Bridge.

"There were four Asian men in the BMW who were quite elderly.

"I also saw about 10 or 15 other men frantically trying to get the driver out of the Nissan because there was smoke coming out of it. I rang the emergency services straight away because I thought it was going to set on fire."

PC Michelle Quinn, of Greater Manchester Police, said officers were keen to trace the third car involved in the accident.

PC Quinn said: "A number of people have injuries and two cars damaged as a result of this collision and I am appealing for anyone who saw what happened or the lead-up to the collision to call us.

"We are also keen to trace a third car that was travelling alongside the Nissan and I would urge the driver of this vehicle and any occupants to come forward."

The five victims were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, Royal Bolton Hospital and Salford Royal Infirmary hospitals.

One man had serious chest injuries and the other had severe head and spinal injuries.

Ms Fitton added: "Watching the whole thing I was so impressed with the way the emergency services handled it — they worked together brilliantly."

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Greater Manchester Police on 101.