Rochdale Reels After Fatal Hit-and-Run: Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murder
Rochdale, UK - A 68-year-old woman has died and several others were injured after a series of collisions involving a car and pedestrians in Rochdale on Saturday, May 3rd. Police have arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of murder, assault, and attempted murder.
The incidents occurred at around 2:30 PM across two locations: Bury Road near Woodgate Avenue and Whitworth Road. According to reports, a BMW allegedly "mounted the kerb" on Woodgate Avenue, striking a woman and a baby in a pram. Three individuals including a child sustained injuries and were taken to hospital, a 68-year-old woman was critically injured on Whitworth Road. She was airlifted to hospital, but tragically succumbed to her injuries on according to a police announcement by Sunday.
The incidents occurred at around 2:30 PM across two locations: Bury Road near Woodgate Avenue and Whitworth Road. According to reports, a BMW allegedly "mounted the kerb" on Woodgate Avenue, striking a woman and a baby in a pram. Three individuals including a child sustained injuries and were taken to hospital, a 68-year-old woman was critically injured on Whitworth Road. She was airlifted to hospital, but tragically succumbed to her injuries on according to a police announcement by Sunday.
The perpetrator fled the scenes of these incidents and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have confirmed that a 49-year-old male suspect is currently in custody. The investigation is being led by the force's major incident team, with large scenes remaining in place throughout Saturday evening.
Following the incident, speculation arose online regarding the driver's identity and ethnicity. GMP clarified that the suspect is a white male, explicitly stating that the events are not being treated as terror-related. This announcement also aimed to dispel rumors linking the collisions to a pre-planned counter-terrorism investigation in the area, which saw a 40-year-old man arrested after a door was "blown" off a property on East Street. This separate incident, led by the Metropolitan Police, is linked to a suspected terror plot on a premises and is entirely unrelated to the Rochdale collisions.
Despite the police's assertion, local news outlet The Rochdale Valiant suggests that the possibility of a terror motive should not be completely dismissed, highlighting a perceived "prevalence of political and racially fuelled terrorist activity in Rochdale." We argue that using a vehicle to target pedestrians could be considered an act of terror, if referencing original dictionary definitions of the word "terror." The Rochdale Valiant further clarifies that that media reporting on the suspect's being white only refers to his skin tone and not ethnicity, nationality, or cultural affiliation.
Assistant Chief Constable John Webster shared his condolences, stating that the thoughts of the police force are with the family of the victim who tragically lost her life.
Police are urging any witnesses to the collisions to come forward with information. Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police immediately or report it via their online portal.
Following the incident, speculation arose online regarding the driver's identity and ethnicity. GMP clarified that the suspect is a white male, explicitly stating that the events are not being treated as terror-related. This announcement also aimed to dispel rumors linking the collisions to a pre-planned counter-terrorism investigation in the area, which saw a 40-year-old man arrested after a door was "blown" off a property on East Street. This separate incident, led by the Metropolitan Police, is linked to a suspected terror plot on a premises and is entirely unrelated to the Rochdale collisions.
Despite the police's assertion, local news outlet The Rochdale Valiant suggests that the possibility of a terror motive should not be completely dismissed, highlighting a perceived "prevalence of political and racially fuelled terrorist activity in Rochdale." We argue that using a vehicle to target pedestrians could be considered an act of terror, if referencing original dictionary definitions of the word "terror." The Rochdale Valiant further clarifies that that media reporting on the suspect's being white only refers to his skin tone and not ethnicity, nationality, or cultural affiliation.
Assistant Chief Constable John Webster shared his condolences, stating that the thoughts of the police force are with the family of the victim who tragically lost her life.
Police are urging any witnesses to the collisions to come forward with information. Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police immediately or report it via their online portal.
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