The family of a loving father-of-four killed in a devastating head-on collision in Bolton have paid a heartbreaking tribute, describing him as the "gentlest soul".
A Knock at the Door: A Family's World Shattered
Masrob Ali, a 54-year-old taxi driver from Blackburn, died instantly in the crash on Wigan Road in the early hours of Sunday, 12 January 2026. His Citroen C4 Picasso was in collision with a Seat Leon which, according to police, appeared to be travelling on the incorrect side of the carriageway.
His eldest daughter, Humayra, 29, recounted the moment their lives changed forever. "We were woken up just before 6am by the police at our door in Blackburn," she said. "When they told us what had happened I was just so confused. Dad was such a safe driver."
A Life Built on Hard Work and Love
Mr Ali emigrated from Bangladesh at the age of 12 and, through sheer determination, built a new life in Lancashire with his wife Husna and their four children. A dedicated family man, he was a keen DIY enthusiast who personally renovated the family home. "He did it all himself; the kitchen, the bathroom, everything," Humayra fondly recalled.
"He was so hard-working. He did everything for his family," she added. "Nobody has a bad word to say against him. He was the best dad." The family expressed gratitude to Greater Manchester Police for their sensitivity, noting that special arrangements were made for them to visit him in the mortuary over the weekend.
Ongoing Investigation and Appeal
Tragically, three teenagers in the Seat Leon also lost their lives. They have been named by Greater Manchester Police as 18-year-olds Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar and Farhan Patel, and 19-year-old Mohammed Danyaal.
Five other passengers from both vehicles remain in hospital. In the taxi, a 29-year-old woman has potentially life-threatening injuries, while a 28-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man are seriously hurt. Another 29-year-old man sustained minor injuries. An 18-year-old male passenger from the Seat is being treated for minor injuries.
Detective Inspector Andrew Page, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, stated: "We are still in the early stages of our investigation and work is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this terrible incident." He urged the public not to share any footage of the crash on social media, warning that doing so could cause further distress to the grieving families and may constitute a criminal offence.
As the investigation continues, a community is left mourning the loss of a cherished father and three young men, in a tragedy that has underscored the devastating consequences of road collisions.
