A DRIVER and passenger escaped serious injury after a Vauxhall Cavalier struck a caravan, somersaulted 15 metres in the air and landed in the middle of the gardens at Rawtenstall Fire Station at 6.45pm yesterday.

The accident happened at 6.45pm yesterday and the Vauxhall Cavalier was removed from the grounds early today.

Firefighters had been on a community safety exercise in Haslingden when they were called to return to the station.

Sub-officer Nigel Boden said: "The car had come off the by-pass and hit the central reservation and then hit a caravan which was being driven on to the bypass, hit the kerb of the roundabout and was knocked into the air.

"It did a complete somersault and landed on its wheels about 15 metres from where it left the road.

"We were called because it was thought people were trapped but when we arrived we were told two men were seen running away from the car.

"They were extremely lucky not to receive serious injuries."

Police Sgt Louise Fitzhugh said: "Two Asian males ran off from the car in the direction of the bus station. One may have had an injury. Police searched the area but could not find anybody."

She said police received a call at 9pm from the car's owner from Westmorland Street, Nelson, to report his vehicle had been stolen and was last seen at 12.15pm yesterday.

The caravan was badly damaged but the blue Rover pulling it and its occupants were not injured.

Police investigations are continuing.