Woman dies after head-on smash on Padiham bypass

The accident happened around 1-35 p.m. on Wednesday when a grey Vauxhall Astra, being driven along Barrowford Road in the direction of Colne, was involved in a collision with a red Vauxhall Astra on the opposite side of the road.

The driver and front seat passenger of the grey Astra, both from Fence, were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with serious injuries.

Sadly passenger Nora Graham died in hospital a short while later.

The 85 year-old driver remains in hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable having suffered a broken neck.

The 52 year-old woman driver of the red Astra, who is from Burnley, and a passenger were also taken to hospital with whiplash but have since been discharged.

The road was closed for two hours to allow accident investigation to take place. Sgt Malcolm Bell said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident and a full investigation into the cause of the collision is now underway.

“I would appeal to anybody who witnessed it to contact police.”

Anybody with any information is asked to contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.