Teenager in fall riddle

Kelly Duckworth, 19, was found lying in the street after the incident in Branch Road, Burnley, yesterday.

She was described as being very seriously ill in hospital today.

A man and a woman in their 20s were arrested at the house and were being questioned by detectives today. Police closed off the front of the house and cordoned off the back street.

A major investigation was launched into the incident and house-to-house inquiries were taking place.

Acting Detective Supt Mike Arnold has appealed for information about a message "Hotel doss house. Take wot you want and more'' written in red on the front window of the house.

Police believe the message was written shortly before the incident. Anyone who was in Branch Road before 9am yesterday or who has any information which could help inquiries can contact the police on 01282 425001 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Police were alerted shortly before 9am yesterday when a neighbour rang to say there was a young girl lying injured in the road.

She had suffered head and internal injuries and broken bones. She was admitted to intensive care at Burnley and transferred overnight to a special unit at Hope Hospital, Manchester.

Her father, who lives locally, has been at her bedside.

Acting Det Supt Arnold said two young children were in the house at the time.

He said Kelly had been staying at the house for some time although it was not her family home.'

He added: "We are treating it as a suspicious incident and need to know if she fell or not."

Near neighbours were shocked to hear that a young woman had suffered serious injuries.

A woman living across the street said: "I know that a young woman with two little children has been living there.

"I don't know anything else. I don't know of any trouble at that house, we tend to keep ourselves pretty much to ourselves."

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