A TEENAGER was seriously ill in hospital today after she was in collision with a car on a unlit country road.

Louise Mullarkey, 16, suffered a fractured skull and serious chest and internal injuries in the accident in Kelbrook Road, Kelbrook, near Barnoldswick, at 10.40pm yesterday.

She was being treated in the intensive care unit at Burnley General Hospital today, where she was in a stable condition.

Louise was understood to be walking home to Barnoldswick when she was in collision with a Saab 9000 Turbo car being driven by Alexander Large, 39, of Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick. He was travelling towards Barnoldswick. Mr Large was left shaken but unhurt. No other vehicle was involved.

The accident happened near the track leading to Bashfield Farm. The B6383 road, known locally as Barnoldswick New Road, is unlit at that point and the accident happened in the pitch dark. Police are trying to establish why Louise was in the road when the collision occurred. A footpath runs down one side of the road.

Sergeant Eric Marshall, of Colne Police, said: "The full details are not available at the moment to say definitely what has happened. All we can say is that Louise was in the carriageway when the accident occurred."

Louise has been living at a friend's house in Kirkstall Drive, Barnoldswick, recently. Her mother, who lives in Cobden Street, Barnoldswick, was at her hospital bedside today.

A woman at the friend's house said she did not know why Louise was out at that time of night. "Everyone is very shaken up and upset," she said. "I have been up all night."

Police have appealed for witnesses to the accident to come forward. Anyone who has any information is asked to contact the Road Policing Unit at Colne Police Station on 01282 472431.