THREE people remain in hospital after a horror smash that killed a man on one of East Lancashire’s most notorious roads.

The group of four were travelling together in a blue classic Mini Cooper when it flipped onto its roof after colliding with a silver Mercedes C200 heading in the opposite direction.

A 20-year-old man, from Ashton-under-Lyne, died at the scene of the accident near to the remote Grey Mare Inn, on Grane Road, Haslingden, at its junction with Jackson Heights Road.

A 17-year-old girl was taken to Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance, while a 15-year-old girl was flown to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

A 26-year-old man was also taken by ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital. All of the injured people are also thought to be from Ashton-under-Lyne.

Police officers closed the road for seven hours after the accident at 8.30am on Sunday while wreckage from the cars was examined.

The driver and passenger of the Mercedes, a couple in their 50s from Leyland, were taken to hospital with injuries which were not life threatening.

Sgt Finn Quainton said the Mini was travelling towards Blackburn when it lost control and collided with the Mercedes.

He said: “I would appeal for anyone with information, including anyone who has seen the Mini in the moments before this collision, to contact the police on 101.”