A 41-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital after suffering serious injuries in a crash.

A second woman was also taken to Royal Preston Hospital with injuries after a Vauxhall Astra and a refrigerated van crashed on the A59 near Chatburn.

The 41-year-old, who was the passenger in the Astra suffered broken bones and a punctured lung.

The 69-year-old Astra driver's injuries were described as minor.

The 40-year-old driver of the refrigerated vehicle - a DAF 310 - was not injured.

No one was arrested.

The road was closed both ways at around 1.30pm, near the Sawley Road junction, but has since re-opened.

Lancashire Telegraph:

An ambulance service spokeswoman said two air ambulances, a rapid response car and two ambulances were called to the scene.

The spokeswoman said: "Two patients suffered major trauma and were taken to Royal Preston Hospital.

"A woman suffered chest injuries and was airlifted to the hospital.

"A second patient was taken to hospital in an ambulance."

Initially two air ambulances were called to the scene and there were diversions in place in Gisburn and Sawley.

A police spokesman said: “We were called to the A59 at Sawley Road, Chatburn, at 1.27pm to reports of a collision involving a refrigerated van and a car.

"A female passenger in the car has been taken to Royal Preston Hospital with chest injuries.

"The driver of the car has also been taken to Royal Preston with minor injuries."

The A59 at Chatburn was re-opened at around 5.45pm on Tuesday.  

The police spokesperson added: “Any witnesses can call police on 101, quoting log 676 of February 26.”