A MAN died and five people were injured in a two car head-on collision.

Michael Ian Jones, 33, of Bolton, suffered serious head and leg injuries when he was thrown from his Peugeot 306 car after colliding head-on with a Vauxhall Cavalier in Elton Road, Belthorn, at 4.40pm yesterday.

He was treated at the scene, 50 metres on the Blackburn side of the junction with Belthorn Road, by four teams of paramedics.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

His passenger, Leanne Roberts, 23, of Great Harwood, was also thrown from the vehicle.

She suffered serious head, leg, and pelvic injuries and was today being treated in hospital.

The driver of the second car had to be cut free by fire crews.

Harold Todd, 72, of Blackpool, suffered multiple injuries and was also taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where he was today being treated in the intensive care unit.

Three passengers in the Cavalier, one of whom was a child, suffered minor injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident after closing the road for five hours. Crash investigation teams were on the scene while the wreckage was cleared.

PC Simon Lynch said: "This was a very busy and serious crash site and was difficult in terms of co-ordinating the emergency services.

"The road was in good condition but was very busy. There was a lot of stationary traffic and a very long diversion in place.

"The force helicopter was in the area and touched down to be on stand by for emergency medical evacuations but in the end was not needed.

"We will be investigating the incident further. The elderly man is in a very serious condition and his family are with him in hospital."

The incident support unit from Accrington attended the scene along with fire crews from Haslingden and Rawtenstall.

Anyone with more information should call PC Lynch at the Road Safety Unit on 01254 353764.