A PENSIONER was crushed to death after a hit and run accident last night.

Ernest Sargeant, 88, of Shelley Walk, Atherton, died in the accident with the Vauxhall Cavalier which was being reversed on the car park at the Poets Corner pub on Spa Road at 9.20pm.

The two men in the car then ran off from the Atherton car park leaving Mr Sargeant severely injured.

Fire crews were called to the scene and police sealed off the car park as they launched an investigation into the accident.

Pub regulars dashed out to help the stricken man and it is believed some of them even tried to lift the car off Mr Sargeant.

Paramedics were called to the scene but the badly injured man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Bolton Hospital's casualty department.

The landlady at the pub said Mr Sargeant was a regular and had been having a drink. He had left the pub to walk home when the incident happened.

"A customer came running in to the pub to say there had been a terrible accident so I phoned for an ambulance. I had served Mr Sargeant earlier in the evening. It is a terrible thing to happen. We are all very upset, he was a lovely man."

Widower

Ex-miner Mr Sargeant was a widower, his wife Lily died two years ago. He has two children.

Today police were appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7252.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed today that two men were in custody at Leigh police station helping with inquiries.