THE mother of a teenager trapped when a branch crushed the taxi she was travelling in today told how her daughter was lucky to be alive.

Jennifer Rong, 16, of Minister Crescent, Darwen, was injured when strong wind blew the branch 20ft on to a taxi ferrying her on a night out with friends.

Jennifer, a pupil at Stonyhurst College, was freed from the Ford Mondeo by firefighters using cutting equipment while paramedics treated her at the scene.

She was later taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where she had stitches.

Mum Taucanh Anh Rong, who also has a son and another daughter, said Jennifer was recovering at home after the accident, in Mitton Road, Whalley, at 7.30pm on Friday.

She said: "Jennifer has a sore head and neck but she is OK. She is staying off school at the moment and is still a bit sore.

"We were all really worried when we heard and I have taken her to see our doctor. She was very lucky that it was not a lot worse."

The taxi was driven by 42-year-old Frank Taylor, of Warren Fold, Hurst Green.

Mr Taylor had been driving for Whalley Private Hire, in Whalley, for just two days before the tree branch fell. Firefighters described it as a "freak accident."

Firefighters worked for an hour to free the teenager. Mr Taylor escaped unhurt.