A 45-YEAR-OLD man was told he was lucky to be alive after crashing his car on the A59 near Chatburn at a time when he was unfit through drugs.

Blackburn magistrates heard eye witness accounts of horrendous driving by Mark Ferguson who later told police that earlier in his journey he had felt like he was ‘wrapped in cotton wool’.

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He said that he had no recollection of events until he woke up in hospital.

Ferguson, of Knowles Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and driving while unfit through drugs, namely cannabis.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Elliot Taylforth, prosecuting, said: the fact that Ferguson had survived to appear in court was a good advertisement for the VW Golf he had been driving at the time of the horrendous crash.

“When you look at the photographs you will see what was left of the vehicle,” said Mr Taylforth.

“If it hadn’t been such a sturdy car the defendant wouldn’t be here.”

Mr Taylforth said the collision eventually occurred near the bridge over the A59 leading from Chatburn to Downham.

The driver of a HGV said the lorry in front of him swerved violently to avoid a collision with the VW which was travelling at speed.

The driver realised the VW was then heading towards him ‘a good yard’ over the middle line.

He had to swerve to avoid a collision and looked in his mirror to see the car narrowly miss his trailer.