Key Points
- A car ploughed through a metal pavement barrier on Great Ancoats Street in Manchester city centre, narrowly avoiding The Wayfarer Bar, at around 3.30pm on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
- The driver is believed to have suffered a medical episode and was taken to hospital; no arrests have been made.
- The vehicle involved was an MG 4×4 with a crushed front bumper; debris scattered across the pavement.
- Greater Manchester Police taped off the area near Ancoats, at the corner of Oldham Street, establishing a cordon around the pavement and vehicle.
- Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and paramedics, attended the scene.
- David, general manager of The Wayfarer Bar, issued a statement confirming no damage to the building and that the venue continued operating normally.
- David thanked emergency services for their quick response and staff for acting swiftly to secure the area.
- No one was seriously injured, and the safety of customers and staff was prioritised.
Manchester City Centre (Manchester Mirror) January 22, 2026 – A dramatic incident unfolded on Great Ancoats Street when a car smashed through a metal barrier, narrowly missing The Wayfarer Bar. The crash prompted a swift response from emergency services, with police cordoning off the area amid concerns for public safety.
What Happened on Great Ancoats Street?
As reported by Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter James Holt of the Manchester Evening News (MEN), published at 20:05 on January 22, 2026, the vehicle ploughed through a metal pavement barrier and “narrowly avoided The Wayfarer Bar.” The incident occurred at around 3.30pm on Wednesday afternoon in the busy Ancoats area of Manchester city centre.
The same MEN article details that a cordon was immediately put in place by Greater Manchester Police surrounding the pavement and the crashed vehicle on the corner of Oldham Street. Eyewitness accounts and images captured by MEN show the MG 4×4 with its front bumper crushed after the impact, leaving debris scattered across the pavement.
In a related earlier MEN story titled “Emergency services rush to city centre street after car almost ploughs into Great Ancoats Street bar,” also by James Holt, emergency services were described rushing to the scene. Fire crews and police were pictured at the location, with Holt noting the vehicle’s proximity to the bar’s facade.
Why Did the Crash Occur?
According to James Holt of the Manchester Evening News, it’s understood the driver “is thought to have had a medical episode” and was later taken to hospital. This explanation aligns with the absence of any criminal intent, as “no arrests have been made in relation to the crash,” per the MEN report.
Paramedics were seen in attendance, as confirmed in Holt’s coverage, underscoring the medical nature of the driver’s condition. Greater Manchester Police officers sealed off the area amid initial investigations, with part of the pavement near the Oldham Road junction remaining cordoned until a recovery vehicle arrived.
Video footage shared exclusively with the MEN, as reported by Holt, depicted the “severely crushed vehicle being taken away on a tow truck.” Fire crews confirmed to Holt that “no members of the public were injured,” reinforcing that the incident stemmed from a health emergency rather than recklessness.
What Did the Bar Manager Say?
David, the general manager of The Wayfarer Bar, issued a full statement following the incident, as quoted verbatim by James Holt in the Manchester Evening News. David said:
“First and foremost, we are incredibly relieved that no one was seriously injured in the collision. The safety of our customers and staff is always our top priority and we are grateful that everyone involved is safe.”
David continued: “Our venue wasn’t damaged and we will continue to serve as normal.” He added praise for responders: “We would like to thank the emergency services for their quick response times and help whilst on the scene, and a big thank you to the staff on site who acted quickly and effectively to ensure the safety of the area.”
Holt’s article emphasised that the building sustained no damage, allowing the venue to operate as normal despite the close call. Images submitted to MEN showed the vehicle “almost struck the building,” highlighting the narrow escape.
How Did Emergency Services Respond?
James Holt of the Manchester Evening News reported that officers from Greater Manchester Police “sealed off the area amid investigations on Wednesday.” A paramedic was observed at the scene, attending to the driver believed to have suffered a medical episode.
Fire crews were also present, as captured in MEN images and confirmed in Holt’s coverage. The cordon remained in place until the recovery vehicle removed the MG 4×4, ensuring public safety during the response.
In the companion piece by Holt, “Emergency services rush to city centre street after car almost ploughs into Great Ancoats Street bar,” the rapid deployment of police and firefighters was detailed, with no reported injuries to bystanders.
Was Anyone Injured in the Incident?
No serious injuries occurred, as repeatedly stated across sources. James Holt quoted fire crews confirming “no members of the public were injured,” and David of The Wayfarer Bar echoed: “we are incredibly relieved that no one was seriously injured.”
The driver was hospitalised due to the suspected medical episode, but details on their condition remain undisclosed by Greater Manchester Police, per Holt’s MEN reporting. Customers and staff at the bar escaped unharmed, prioritising safety as per David’s statement.
What Is the Status of the Investigation?
Greater Manchester Police have not made any arrests, with the crash attributed to a medical episode, according to James Holt‘s Manchester Evening News article. Investigations continued at the scene, but no further updates on the driver’s status or vehicle recovery have been released.
The pavement cordon was lifted after the tow truck removed the vehicle, as shown in MEN-shared video. Holt noted the area’s reopening, with The Wayfarer Bar resuming normal operations.
What Do Images and Videos Show?
MEN images, credited to the publication and submitted sources, depict police and fire crews at the scene. One image shows the crashed vehicle on the pavement, while another captures its near-collision with the bar.
Video footage shared with James Holt illustrates the “severely crushed” MG 4×4 being towed away, with debris visible and the cordon in place. These visuals underscore the impact’s severity without building contact.
Broader Context of Road Incidents in Greater Manchester
While this incident appears isolated, recent MEN coverage by various reporters highlights frequent road safety issues. For instance, Holt and others have reported on crashes like a boy hit by a car, abandoned vehicles on tram tracks, and repeated collisions into homes—though none directly link to this event.
David’s emphasis on staff and emergency response mirrors community resilience noted in prior stories, such as appeals for witnesses in fatal crashes.
This comprehensive account draws solely from verified Manchester Evening News reporting by James Holt, ensuring factual accuracy amid a non-criminal, health-related mishap. The Wayfarer Bar’s swift statement exemplifies calm leadership in Manchester’s vibrant city centre.
