AN elderly motorist is being treated in hospital for spinal injuries after a collision close to Blackburn fire station today.

An investigation is underway after a white Ford Ka, driven by a woman said to be in her late 60s or early 70s, was involved in a collision with an Audi A6 at the junction of Freckleton Street and Canterbury Street, at around 3.30pm.

Watch manager Neil Carter, of Blackburn fire station’s red watch, said the driver appeared to have suffered spinal injuries and specialist equipment was used to cut the roof off her vehicle.

The driver was then taken by ambulance to the Royal Blackburn Hospital. The driver of the Audi is not said to have been badly hurt.

Traffic was diverted around the scene for around an hour before the Ford Ka was removed on a low-loader.

Road traffic police in Blackburn confirmed they were still waiting to speak to the driver of the Ka as part of their enquiries.