A 17-year-old girl from Darwen has been killed in a horror crash on the M65 that left three other teenagers seriously injured.

Emergency services were called to a three-car crash on the motorway, just after 3.05am on Wednesday (October 2). 

The girl was a passenger alongside three other teenagers in a Seat Ibiza and was involved in the collision at Junction 9 eastbound on the M65 near Burnley.

 

 

She was taken to hospital having suffered multiple severe injuries and was pronounced dead.

Police arrived at the incident just after 3.35am and closed the motorway between J8 (A56) at Huncoat to J10 A671 Cavalry Way (Burnley/Padiham).

Det Sgt Martin Wilcock, of the Road Policing Unit, added: “Very sadly a young girl has lost her life as a result of this collision and three other young people have been very badly injured and my thoughts are with the loved ones of all of those involved.

“Our investigation is ongoing into the circumstances, and I would appeal to anyone who either saw what happened or who has any dashcam or mobile footage to get in touch.”

MP for Burnley Oliver Ryan said: “My thoughts are first and foremost with the family and loved ones of the person who has lost their life. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

"My sincere best wishes for a quick recovery are with those injured, and they remain in my thoughts at this distressing time.

"Lastly, while this is an evolving situation, I would like to thank all our emergency services, responding to these incidents is never easy and I know you always do your utmost to keep us safe.”

Those injured remain in hospital after emergency services were scrambled to the scene and closed the road at in both directions.

Burnley’s Liberal Democrats leader Gordon Britwistle said: "It is obviously a tragic situation for the person who has died, the person in hospital and for the families.

"It is tragic people went out last night and one person isn't coming home this morning."

The road closure caused delays for drivers throughout the day and led to long queues on all alternative routes.

(Image: NQ)

Despite National Highways providing an official diversion route havoc was caused as commuters were forced into a bottleneck with long delays.

Pictures from around East Lancashire showed traffic gridlocked as people attempted to use other roads.

Delays were particularly long for those looking to rejoin the motorway using the A608 from Padiham.

Burnley Road, which connects Accrington via Huncoat to the M65 was gridlocked for much of the morning as well as Whinney Hill Road.

RECAP: Girl, 17, killed in crash on M65 and 3 teens seriously injured

A statement released by Lancashire Police said: “At around 3.37am we were called to reports of a collision at Junction 9 of the M65 involving three vehicles.

“Emergency services attended and five people were taken to hospital with serious injuries, one person has very sadly died.

“Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this incredibly distressing time, and they are being supported by officers.

Traffic began to ease from midday and the road reopened at 1pm with “residual delays.”

Police are appealing to anyone with information to call 101 quoting log 0123 of Wednesday October 2 or email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@lancashire.police.uk.