THREE men were arrested on suspicion of robbery this morning after a smash that left a taxi driver needing to be cut free from the wreckage of his car.

The trio’s Vauxhall Zafira collided with a Toyota cab as they were travelling in opposite directions in Preston New Road, Blackburn, close to the junction with Revidge Road at about 12.05am.

Firefighters from Blackburn used specialist equipment to cut the taxi driver free from his vehicle.

The man, in his 40s, was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital suffering from spinal and neck injuries, but was not understood to be seriously injured.

The three men in the Vauxhall, two aged 20 and one aged 27, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of robbery.

The 27-year-old driver of the vehicle was also being questioned on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Police said they were being quizzed in relation to an incident at 11pm last night when a 28-year-old man was allegedly robbed in Randall Street, Shear Brow.

The man was walking in the road when a car pulled up with two men inside.

One got out, pushed the victim and stole £10 from his hand before getting back inside the vehicle and driving off, police said.

Detective Inspector Mark Winstanley, from Blackburn CID, said: “We are linking these two incidents and we would like to speak to anyone who may have been in Randall Street or Preston New Road at the time.”

Call detectives on 01254 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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