A TEENAGER was trapped in a car for 30 minutes after a road accident which closed the busy main road between Burnley and Rawtenstall for nearly three hours.

Joseph Lowery, 19, of Piercy Terrace, Waterfoot, suffered serious chest injuries after a Ford Fiesta collided with a wall in Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, at 11.50pm on Saturday. Joseph was a front seat passenger in the car.

He was initially treated in the intensive care unit of Burnley General Hospital but was moved to a ward when his condition improved. His condition was today described as stable.

Driver Richard James Belcher, 19, of Woodside Crescent, Rawtenstall, struck the wall of industrial premises close to a Texaco petrol station and the White Horse pub.

Police said he was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown through the windscreen but back into the car, where he landed in the driver's seat.

He suffered whiplash injuries and facial cuts but was allowed home from Burnley General yesterday.

Sub Officer Nick Clough said: "The car came to rest about 25 to 30 meters from the impact with a wall in the opposite side of the carriageway outside a house in Burnley Road.

"When we got there it looked like both driver and passenger had struck the windscreen and they both were trapped. The driver could have got out but there were concerns he may have spinal injuries.

"We used cutters and spreaders to first remove the roof of the car and help paramedics to get the driver out onto a long board.

"We then took the side off the car to get in to the passenger who was more seriously injured and helped paramedics to remove him on a spinal board.

"They were lucky to get away from the accident in the condition they did."

Mr Clough said after the passenger was released paramedics worked on him for some time in the back of the ambulance before taking him to Burnley General Hospital.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact PC Riz Quraishi at the road policing unit on 01282 472431.