Police were scrambled to Manchester city centre after a car crashed into railings.
Pictures from the scene showed a badly damaged saloon car after it had crashed through railings on Great Ancoats Street.
The road was closed briefly while the wreckage was cleared from the carriageway.
A flatbed truck later removed the damaged car.
Unconfirmed reports from the scene suggested the crash followed a police pursuit.
The incident happened on Great Ancoats Street at its junction with Pollard Street near the Ibis Hotel.
The car suffered extensive damage to its front end.
Greater Manchester Police has been asked for a comment.
