THE A59 at Sawley was closed for three hours yesterday afternoon following a head-on collision on Sawley Brow.

The accident happened at 4.08pm, with both vehicles thought to be overtaking in opposite directions.

Frank Waller, 56, of Albion Street, Earby, was trapped in his Austin Montego estate for 45 minutes while fire crews tried to free him.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with serious arm injuries and other broken bones.

The driver of the other vehicle, a Toyota Lightace, was Roy Brown, 51, of York Street, Barnoldswick, who was treated for shock and bruising at Burnley General Hospital and was allowed to go home the same day.

Traffic was diverted via Sawley while accident investigators cleared the carriageway.