FOUR people, including three members of the same family, were seriously injured in a road smash which closed a section of the M65 for two hours yesterday.

The accident happened when a Mercedes van collided with a stationary Nissan Sunny car on the A56 Accrington easterly bypass at 12.50pm.

The impact forced both cars into a spin and off the road.

Firefighters had to cut free four people trapped in the Nissan, including a young child.

The driver of the van David Steven Casey, 31, of Wordsworth Road, Swinton, had multiple injuries and was transferred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where he was said to be "quite stable" earlier today.

Abdul Chafar Noor, 38, of Campden Street, Nelson, the driver of the Sunny, which police believe had broken down, suffered serious chest and facial injuries and was taken to Burnley General Hospital. He was "comfortable" this morning. Passenger Yousuf Noor, 74, of Causey Foot, Nelson, sustained serious neck and spinal injuries and is "stable" in Burnley General where Sayka Noreen, 26, of Campden Street, Nelson, who had serious chest injuries and a broken arm, is described as "comfortable".

The child, Qamar Zaman, of Carr Hall Road, Nelson had cuts and bruises and was discharged after treatment.

Sergeant Nigel Walker of Accrington traffic said: "We believe the Sunny had broken down and was parked at the side of the road as its hazard warning lights were flashing.

"All the passengers were still in the vehicle at the time of impact."

Paramedics and an emergency doctor treated the casualties on the scene.

Station Officer Chris Hollis of Accrington fire station said:

"It took us about 30 minutes to get everyone out."

The road and a section of the M65 from junction eight to Rising Bridge and the Huncoat junction of the easterly bypass were closed for two hours.

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