THREE women today spoke of the moment of horror they were trapped in an overturned taxi and said: "We thought we were going to die."

The accident happened on the busy Gannow Top roundabout in Burnley at 11.05pm as the girls were ready for a night on the town.

Police said a van collided with the taxi, pushing it into a street lamp and causing it to roll over and leaving the girls fearing the taxi was about to blow up.

Charlotte Harrison, 21, of Barry Street, Burnley, Shelley Noon, 20, of Rossendale Road, Burnley and Zoe Evans, 20, of Lowerhouse Lane ended up fearing for their lives when they couldn't find a way out of the wreckage.

Three men from the van, who were also injured, eventually managed to pull the women free.

The girls pre-booked a taxi from M&Ms taxis, St James Street, Burnley, to be taken to Harry's Bar for the start of their night out last Saturday.

Charlotte said the accident was "the worst feeling ever imaginable." She added: We couldn't get the windows down and the doors wouldn't open.

"We were all in so much pain that we were just hysterical and then we smelt burning which was the most frightening thing. We thought we were going to be burnt alive because there was not way for us to get out.

"We are very grateful to the men and would like to thank them for getting us out. We were all piled on top of one another and were just relieved to get out - and get out alive."

Shelley said: "I was in shock after the accident and didn't really know what was going on. It was horrible because I saw my life flash before me.

"What made it even more frightening was the fact that we could smell burning which we later found to be from the tyres with the engine still running we thought the car was going to blow up."

Zoe said: "When the men in the van got me out the first thing I did was make sure that everybody else was OK. I ran straight for the Derby pub because I know the landlord and landlady and cried.

"I have a little boy who is three -- Brandon and I just wanted to see him. I chipped my front tooth in the accident and my right arm is in a sling. My three-year-old son has had to dress himself for nursery the past couple of days which has been a nightmare but the fact that we are all aright is a miracle."

The girls did not go to hospital after the accident but were all checked over by a doctor the following day.

Traffic officer PC Neil Goodison said: "A van came round the roundabout in the second lane of the roundabout and the taxi was in the inside lane. The van pushed the taxi into a lamp and turned it on to its side. We are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident."

Owner of M&M Taxi's, Mohammad Quadra said: "I am confident that there wasn't anything wrong with the car because it had been for it's MOT the day before with Burnley Borough Council.

"The driver Khalid Hussain had just started his night's shift. Since the accident happened he went round to see one of the girls to see if they were alright. He is also suffering with a bad back, shoulder and neck and will be off work for some time because of his injuries. Obviously we are just glad that everybody was safe and got out of the car without any serious injuries."