A MAN was critically injured when his car smashed into a lamppost during treacherous driving conditions.

The 21-year-old's blue Vauxhall Corsa was written off leaving him with serious chest, head and spleen injuries.

The Samlesbury resident, who has not been named, was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital where he was in a critical condition last night.

Longsight Road in Clayton-le-Dale was closed for four hours to allow investigators to examine the scene.

Shortly after it reopened a second accident happened between a taxi and a lorry.

The accidents led police to warn motorists about dangerous driving conditions, particularly standing water, during bad weather.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the first accident shortly after 11.30pm on Thursday.

The man was cut out of the car, which had been travelling towards Samlesbury, by the fire service and he was taken to hospital by ambulance with a police escort.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “When we arrived on the scene the man was trapped in his car.

“We cut him out and he was taken to hospital by the paramedics with a police escort because of the serious nature of his injuries.

“He is believed to be recovering in hospital.”

Inspector Phil Hutchinson, of Lancashire police, said: “People should always be aware of dangerous driving conditions at this time of year because of the weather.

“There is a lot of standing water on road surfaces and people should leave themselves more time than normal to get to their destination.”

The emergency services were again called to the road, this time just outside the Shajan Indian Restaurant, at 4am to the lorry and taxi crash.

The driver of the taxi was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.

Marje Adderley, owner of the nearby Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast, said: "I slept through the first accident but at about 4am I heard a loud bang.

"It woke me up and also one of my guests as well.

"The speed limit on this section of the road is 60mph and I think that it should be lowered because people go too fast all the time."

Coun Peter Ainsworth, who represents Clayton-le-Dale on Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: "The weather was extremely bad on Thursday night and it would have created very bad driving conditions.

"The rain was hammering down and that could have left quite a lot of surface water on the road.

"Accidents don't normally happen on Longsight Road."

Oliver Starkey, highways manager at Lancashire County Council, said: "Alongside the police, we are investigating the circumstances of this accident and will consider any action that may need to be taken when that is completed.

"We would urge all drivers to allow extra time for journeys in poor weather and especially in heavy rain."

Sgt Mick Young, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident or the car in the moments before it occurred to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log number 1326 of December 18.