POLICE investigating a fatal road accident in Heywood are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

At about 10.30pm last Friday, a taxi was driving along Manchester Road, near to the junction with Ormerod Street, Heywood, when it was in collision with Scott Kenneth Howatson, 19, of Orrington Street, Heywood.

Mr Howatson was taken to Fairfield Hospital but died a short time later.

Officers are keen to trace the driver of a white vehicle that passed the scene minutes before the accident.

Sergeant Simeon Holt said: "I want to emphasise that this driver is not in any trouble but could have information vital to the inquiry, and I would urge them to come forward.

"The vehicle was travelling in the direction of Middleton, so the person driving could live there, or possibly elsewhere in Manchester. We really want to find out exactly how this young lad came to suffer his fatal injuries, but we need your help to do that. Please get in touch if you think you could help."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Road Policing Unit on 0161 856 4873 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.