A week of tragedy in Wigan after remains of baby found, a fatal house fire and three killed on the roads

There has been a week of tragedy and heartbreak in Wigan - with the remains of a baby found, a man killed after a house erupted into flames, a little girl injured after being hit by a van and three lives claimed on the roads.

Emergency services have attended a number of incidents across the borough since last Saturday (April 6). Each has seen lives completely devastated.

The first incident struck when a crane 'sliced' through a house on Flapper Fold Lane in Atherton on Saturday morning. Dramatic pictures taken after the incident showed how the HGV toppled over and smashed through the roof and an upstairs bedroom, causing major damage.

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A large cordon was erected in the area as emergency services responded. A scene remained in place throughout the day after lorry supporting the crane overturned in the road. Nobody was injured in the incident.

Wigan Council had to step in and help the family living there to find temporary accommodation due to the level of damage caused.

Days later, on April 11, a three-year-old girl was left with 'potentially serious injuries' after she was hit by a van while out with her mum on Market Street in Hindley.

Police and paramedics raced to the scene and cordoned off the area as she was rushed to hospital. An air ambulance was also scrambled to the scene, landing nearby.

Five people were then arrested after a horrifying discovery was made in Marsh Green. Human remains, thought to have been that of a young baby, were uncovered at a home in the area on Wednesday (April 12).

A scene was put in place outside the house, and also at Valley Road in Pemberton, as detectives and forensics conducted investigations throughout the rest of the week and the weekend.

Five people were arrested, aged between 20-70, on suspicion of concealing a death and unlawful burial. They have all been bailed pending further enquiries, Greater Manchester Police have since confirmed.

On Friday afternoon (April 12), tragedy struck once more along Flapper Fold Lane in Atherton, at around midday. An 87-year-old mobility scooter rider died following a collision with a suspected drug driver.

The male pensioner suffered serious injuries during the crash and died later in hospital, police confirmed. A woman, 30, was later arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and driving while under the influence of a drug. She has been released on police bail 'pending further enquiries'.

The Serious Collision Investigation Unit are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward after the fatal collision, thought to have involved a Volkswagen Golf that crossed the carriageway.

Two more lives were claimed in another serious collision on Saturday night (April 13). Two men lost their lives after a crash between a motorbike and car on Ormskirk Road at around 7.15pm.

Greater Manchester Police said that a Peugeot 408 collided with a Suzuki GSR750 motorbike. Both the driver of the motorbike and a passenger 'became unseated'.

Tragically, a 21-year-old man was pronounced dead on the scene. A 56-year-old man was rushed to hospital, but sadly died a short time later from his injuries.

The driver of the car - a 41-year-old man - was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving. He remains in custody to be quizzed by detectives.

And in the early hours of Sunday morning (April 14) residents living along Warrington Road were awoken by screams. A semi-detached house had erupted into flames after a fire started in the kitchen and quickly spread to the roof.

Police, paramedics and fire crews raced to the scene at around 2.30am. One man tragically died, with five others injured. One of the injured persons is currently in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

A cordon was erected around the property, with pictures showing a badly scorched roof amid investigations on Sunday morning. A probe is underway to establish the cause.

Horrified locals have since described the moment plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the roof of the property. One woman said she heard 'screaming' before fire crews told her to evacuate.