A YOUTH was fighting for life in hospital today after a car driven by his 16-year-old friend smashed into a lamp post.

Christopher Eatough, 17, of Cockermouth Close, Blackburn, had to be cut from the wreckage of the MG Maestro after it careered out of control in Aqueduct Road, Blackburn.

A police spokesman named the driver as Colin Hargreaves, of Cockermouth Close, Blackburn. Police said the vehicle was not stolen.

The accident occurred at 9pm last night as the vehicle rounded the bend from Bolton Road, at Ewood, and slid sideways into the lamp post underneath the aquaduct.

Blackburn Fire Station Officer David Bowers said the driver was out of the vehicle when crews arrived at the scene.

He added: "The injured lad was trapped in the wreckage where the passenger door had taken the side impact against the lamp post.

"The paramedics arrived at the same time as us and stabilised the casualty who was suffering from apparent multiple head injuries.

"Firefighters removed the roof and the side of the vehicle and then winched it to one side to allow access to the emergency services."

Christopher Eatough was semi-conscious throughout the operation to release him.

Paramedics transferred him to a stretcher and took him to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

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