A 19-year-old girl who was involved in a fatal crash in Wythenshawe has described the ‘traumatising’ moment she saw a man and his pet dog dead at the side of the road after being hit by a car.
Madison Burrows was travelling in a taxi with her two younger siblings, aged one and 11, and her auntie, when a car came ‘head on’ towards them in the wrong lane and smashed into their vehicle, before then flipping over and striking a pedestrian walking along the pavement with his dog on Sunday (March 9).
Emergency services were scrambled to the junction of Hollyhedge Road and Greenwood Road in Wythenshawe at around 5pm. The pedestrian, a man in his 60s, and his dog were both tragically killed. Madison was left with a chipped collarbone and a number of ribs.
Speaking about the ordeal to the Manchester Evening News, 19-year-old Madison, who was sat in the front passenger seat of the taxi with her family in the back said: “I had booked the Uber as I’d been at my sister’s first birthday party. My sisters and auntie were in the back and I was in the front passenger seat.
Madison described what happened when the crash occurred.
She said: “The taxi tried to swerve but he couldn’t move as there was a car in the lane next to us. I realised no matter what, we were about to get hit.
“The car smacked into the passenger side where I was sitting. I don’t remember exactly what happened after that, but I made sure everyone else was okay in the back including my youngest sister. I don’t know if it was the adrenaline but I just wanted to make sure the baby was out of the car.”
According to witnesses, the car was then flipped over and landed at the road side, where it hit a man and his dog. Both of them were killed at the scene.
A huge scene was put in place as emergency services descended on the incident. Police, paramedics and fire crews, along with incident response units, two air ambulances along, enhanced rescue units and advanced paramedics raced to the scene.
Madison added: “The paramedics came really quickly and checked us all over. I felt a pain in my shoulder straight away but it was nowhere near as bad at first. I think it was the adrenalin.
“At first when I got out the car I saw the dog. It was my sister who then started screaming. I looked and saw the man at the side of the road.
“It could’ve been all of us that were killed. The fact we only walked away with minor injuries; we are really thankful.
“Seeing the man and his dog at the side of the road was one of the most traumatising things ever. Whenever I close my eyes I just keep seeing him. I’ll never get the image out of my head.”
A woman in her 40s was later arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She has since been released on bail.
Police are now appealing for witnesses to assist them with their investigations. It is believed the collision took place after the vehicle, a black car, collided with the taxi at the junction after travelling south on Greenwood Drive.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “Shortly before 5pm on Sunday 9 March 2025, we were called to reports that a pedestrian and a dog had been struck by a vehicle at the junction Hollyhedge Road and Greenwood Drive, in Wythenshawe.
“Emergency services were in attendance, but despite their best efforts, the pedestrian, a man in his 60s, and a dog sadly died at the scene. A woman in her 40s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She has been released on bail. We are now appealing for witnesses to help us with our enquiries.
“The vehicle, a black car, was travelling south on Greenwood Drive towards the junction of Hollyhedge Road. As the vehicle entered the junction it collided with another vehicle on the opposing carriageway, before hitting a pedestrian and sadly causing fatal injuries at the scene to him and his dog. There were no other serious injuries to report.
“If you have any dash cam footage, ring doorbell footage, or have any information that could help us with our enquiries, please contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting log 2270 of 09/03/2025.
“If you would prefer to remain anonymous, information can be shared by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
