AN elderly woman was airlifted to hospital after a two-car smash on the Clitheroe by-pass.

Evelyn Howorth, 76, was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital with serious leg and chest injuries after the crash at 4.10pm yesterday. Her condition today was 'stable'.

Three other people involved suffered minor injuries and were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

The collision, involving a Nissan Sunny and a Citroen AX, happened on the A59 at its junction with Pendle Road.

The road towards Skipton was blocked by the accident and police stopped traffic coming the other way to allow the ambulance helicopter to land.

Mrs Howorth, of Rossendale Crescent, Bacup, was a passenger in the Nissan, which was being driven by her 77-year-old husband Ashworth Howorth.

The couple to be cut free from the vehicle by firefighters. Mr Howorth suffered whiplash injuries and cuts and allowed home after treatment.

Citroen driver, Andrew John Bickerstaffe, 32, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, suffered knee and facial injuries and whiplash.

His wife, Andrea, 26, suffered whiplash but was allowed home from hospital after a check-up.

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