A 71-YEAR-OLD man has died in hospital six days after being involved in a head-on car crash near Sabden.

Michael Shaw, from Whalley, died yesterday after suffering serious injuries when his Ford Focus was involved in a collision in Whalley Road, last Friday.

He was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where he stayed in a critical condition until his death.

Fire crews had to cut away the roof from the other vehicle, a Ford Escort, to release one of the men feared to have neck injuries trapped inside.

The men, aged 54 and 31, in the Ford Escort were from Darwen and heading towards Whalley when the accident happened.

They both suffered serious but non life-threatening injuries and were also treated at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

It is thought the crash happened on a tight bend and one of the vehicles careered through a dry stone wall near Hillside Farm shortly after 9.30am.

The road was closed for several hours while an investigation was carried out into the cause of the incident.

Police have appealed for witnesses of the crash to contact them on 0845 125 3545 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.