Two hurt in five-car smash

TWO people were taken to hospital after a five-vehicle collision on the M65.

Emergency services were called to the eastbound carriageway between junction 7 at Clayton-le-Moors and junction 8 at Huncoat after a collision involving four cars and a van.

Highways England said two lanes were closed following the incident at around 9.20am on Monday, January 8.

One person was rescued from a vehicle by firefighters suffering knee and eye injuries and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital. Another person was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital with neck and head injuries.

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At 9.19am two fire engines from Hyndburn and one from Burnley attended a road traffic collision involving multiple vehicles on the M65 eastbound between junctions 7 and 8.

“Firefighters used cutting equipment and stabilisation blocks to release one person from a vehicle who was then taken to hospital.”

Highways England posted on Twitter: ‘Lanes 1 and 2 (of 3) are closed #M65 eastbound between J7 #Accrington and J8 #Hapton #A56 due to a 5 vehicle collision. @NWmwaypolice and @HighwaysNWEST are on scene and have requested assistance from @LancashireFRS as person trapped in vehicle’.