A 17-year-old was today fighting for his life after suffering critical head injuries in a car crash on Haslingden Old Road.

The teen from Accrington was in the front passenger seat when the Seat Ibiza went out of control on a left-hand bend and ploughed 50 metres into a farmer's field, between Broadfield and Cobbs Lane at 3am on Sunday.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary and yesterday moved to a specialist head unit at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Today police officers were trying to contact his family to inform them of his injuries.

He was one of four 17-year-olds in the car, three from Accrington and one from Burnley.

Two of the boys escaped with only minor whiplash but one was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with serious cuts to his face.

An investigation has now been launched into the cause of the crash.

Sergeant Carl Simister, from the road policing unit in Accrington, said: "It would appear that the driver of the car has lost control on a left-hand bend in the road and ploughed into a field. The driver has not yet been interviewed but crash investigators have attended the scene.

"The seriously injured young man has been transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital for specialist care.

"His condition at this stage is still being described as critical."