Wigan driver in a coma.

THE distressed family of a Wigan taxi driver left fighting for his life after a hit-and-run have made an emotional plea for witnesses to come forward.

Cancer sufferer Peter Gregory was put in a medically induced coma due to internal injuries following the two car collision in Scholes last week. The driver of the other vehicle involved is being sought by detectives after fleeing the scene, leaving 57-year-old Peter trapped in his taxi.

Peter is now showing signs of recovery and has spoken of his recollections of the other driver approaching his car and looking at him through the window before running off.

Brother Alan Gregory said: “My brother had only just recovered from bowel cancer and his intestinal wall was very weak as a result.

“The impact of the crash has caused mass internal bleeding, his bowels almost completely disintegrated, and he was in a coma for most of last week.

“We’re relieved his condition is improving, he has been able to talk - but he remains in a critical condition in intensive care. We are desperate for people to come forward.”

“This is an extremely serious crash that happened in a residential area, someone must have been seen or heard something. My brother suffered life-threatening injuries and the people responsible just ran away.”

Fire crews spent two hours at the scene at the junction of Scholes and Vauxhall Road and used hydraulic cutting equipment to release Mr Gregory, who lives near Atherton, from the wreckage.

His passenger was taken to Wigan Infirmary while the father-of-two was taken to see a trauma specialist team at Salford Royal Hospital.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen the incident or can identify the drivers of the black Vauxhall Insignia that was part of the collision with the taxi – a blue Citroen Xsara Picasso – to come forward.

Whelley resident Alan said: “Initially, my brother was reported to have only suffered minor injuries but this was not the case. My family are understandably devastated and upset about what happened and want to find the driver of the other car involved.

“We are indebted to the fire crews, watch manager Craig Cubbins and the white watch from Wigan.”

The collision occurred at just after 3am on Friday, September 13.