A CRASH victim handed over a cheque for nearly £5,000 to the emergency service that saved his life.

Sam Litherland, of Copster Green, handed over the cheque to North West Air Ambulance at The Bay Horse, Longsight Road, Osbaldeston.

Sam, 22, suffered horrific neck, back and lung injuries in a crash in Mellor Lane, Mellor, when the Honda Civic Type R he was travelling in crashed into a parked car.

Sam survived after being airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital. His friend Ashley Connell, 23, of Knowsley Road, Wilpshire, died in the crash. Passengers Christian Gillibrand, 20, of Rams- greave Road, Blackburn, and Julian Hollings, 23, of Ribchester Road, Black- burn, were also injured, but recovered at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Sam's mother Carolyn Litherland said: "The money was raised by fundraising nights at The Bay Horse and Beechwood Club, Blackburn.

"My husband, Joe, has been heavily involved in raising money and hopefully it can hold an annual event.

"We're just grateful for what the air ambulance did in getting Sam to hospital so quickly."

Driver Ashley Fielding, 20, of Whalley Banks, Whalley, has denied causing death by dangerous driving and his trial is due to start at Preston Crown Court in May.

The North West Air Ambulance is a unique regional medical air emergency service.

It covers Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria.

Established in 1999, the NWAA is a registered char-ity receiving no mainstream funding, yet it offers a vital service seven days a week, 365 days a year across 5,500 square miles, serving a residential population of seven million.