Man fights for life after head-on smash
JON MACPHERSON
AMAN is in critical condition in hospital after a horror head-on crash.
Emergency services were called to Manchester Road in Baxenden after reports of a two-vehicle collision at the junction with Newton Drive.
Police said a Nissan Qashqai and Vauxhall Insignia were travelling in opposite directions when they collided. The driver of the Nissan – a 66-year-old from Haslingden – suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital where his condition is described as critical.
A male passenger in the Nissan suffered a broken leg and was also taken to Royal Preston Hospital.
The driver and front seat passenger of the Vauxhall sustained minor injuries.
A child passenger in the back of the car was taken to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
The incident happened at around 3.15pm on Saturday, November 24 and the road was closed for around seven hours for investigation works.
Sandra Clark runs the Deli Kitchen 378 sandwich shop, close to where the collision happened, and said she was shocked by the incident.
She said: “It was quite a nasty incident and it’s certainly not a nice thing to see at any time but especially so close to Christmas.
“I closed the shop at 1pm but heard about it when I got home. My delivery driver came in this week and said it was a very bad accident.
“He was walking down the road with his dog just after it happened and all the roads were very busy.
“It can be quite a bad road for accidents and we’ve had quite a few near misses.”
Two fire engines from Hyndburn were called to the scene and used cutting equipment to release two casualties who were trapped.
A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Both casualties were treated by paramedics at the scene and later taken to hospital.”
Lancashire Police have launched an appeal for witnesses.
Sergeant Tracey Ward of Lancashire’s Road Policing Unit said: “This has happened on a main road on a busy Saturday afternoon. If you witnessed the collision or have any dash cam footage, please let us know.”
Anyone with information should call 101 and quoting log number 895 of November 24.