A SUSPECTED drink-driver, travelling at speed, fled after causing a four car pile up yesterday morning, police said.

Residents of St James Street, Blackburn, reported seeing the silver Vauxhall Astra van speeding down the road, at 12.10am, before breaking sharply and hitting a Peugeot 306, being driven by a Blackburn woman.

The car then hit a Rover 414 and the Peugeot was pushed into a Nissan Sunny, both being driven by Blackburn men.

Police said the driver then climbed out of the badly damaged car and ran off.

Inspector Steve Haworth said: "This was a serious road traffic collision in which there could have been multiple fatalities.

"To be honest, the driver was clearly saved from serious injury by his air bag. Without one, we would have been looking at a fatality as the engine compartment of the vehicle was completely destroyed.

"The vehicle belongs to a local firm so it will be easy to trace who was driving the car at the time.

"All the cars were write-offs and have been recovered by the police for forensic examination."

Police said the driver was a stocky Asian male, approximately 6ft 2in and in his mid-30s.

He was wearing a beige top and dark trousers and was last seen running down a ginnel off St James Street.

Despite deploying the police helicopter and using a dog patrol police were unable to find the man.

Inspector Haworth added: "This accident could have resulted in serious loss of life and we were amazed that those involved escaped with minor injuries.

"We would appeal for any witnesses to come forward with further information by calling Blackburn police on 01254 51212."