A man and woman were rushed to hospital seriously injured after a hatchback car deliberately rammed a van in a targeted attack.

Detectives said both the man and woman are lucky to be alive.

They are treating the collision in Rochdale as a ‘deliberate and targeted attack’. The van then careered into a brick wall.

Photographs taken by witnesses at the scene show the extent of the damage caused to the white Ford Transit van.

The woman, 21, suffered a broken leg and wrist as well as swelling to the face. The 26-year-old man suffered multiple injuries and remains in hospital in a ‘serious but stable’ condition.

Police have launched an urgent appeal for witnesses.

The smash happened at 12.35am on Monday on Oldham Road, just outside Rochdale town centre and near to the Rochdale Central Retail Park

Police were called to reports that a blue Citroen C4 drove into the van before hitting a wall.

Detective Inspector Andy Aston said the initial collision is believed to have been a deliberate and targeted attack.

He said: “This is a shocking attack which will no doubt cause a lot of concern locally but I would like to assure everybody that we have launched a full investigation.

"We believe the initial collision was a targeted attack with the Citroen deliberately driving into the Transit van before it collided with the wall.

"If anybody has any information that they believe might assist with our investigation then please contact police directly or Crimestoppers.”

The A671 Oldham Road was closed in both directions between Dodgson Street and the A640 Milnrow Road for forensic investigations.