A 37-YEAR-OLD dad-of-four has died in a four-car horror crash.


Qaisar Abbas, of Halifax Road, Brierfield, has been named locally as the driver killed in the early morning smash yesterday.

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Mr Abbas has been described as a ‘loving, kind and hardworking man’ by friends.

The married father leaves behind three daughters and a son all under the age of five.


Cllr Mohammad Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, was a friend of Mr Abbas and has known him for several years.

He said: “Qaisar was a kind, thoughtful and hardworking man who was devoted to his young children.


“He did everything for his family and was a respected and well-liked man.

"He was very well known in Brierfield and Nelson, and hundreds of people in those towns are grieving this awful loss.

"At the time of this terrible accident he was on his way to work in Great Harwood where he was employed at a factory.”


Yesterday evening members of the community gathered at Brierfield Mosque, where Mr Abbas worshipped, to say prayers and mourn. Further prayers were being said today at the mosque.


Cllr Iqbal said that once a post mortem examination was completed Mr Abbas’ body would be repatriated to Pakistan for burial.

The accident happened between the M65 junction 8 and the A678 Blackburn Road, Padiham shortly after 7.30am. Police said the accident involved a black VW Polo, a Smart car, BMW and a Ford Fiesta.

Emergency services attended and the driver of the Volkswagen, Mr Abbas, from Halifax Road, Brierfield, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 57-year-old driver of the Ford from Padiham, suffered serious chest and arm injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

The driver of the BMW from Clitheroe, a 32-year-old woman, was trapped in the vehicle and freed by firefighters.

She suffered chest and hip injuries and was also taken to Royal Preston Hospital.

A woman from Burnley driving the Smart car suffered minor head injuries.

The road was shut for close to nine hours while accident investigators attended the scene.

Drivers are being urged to take care when driving on the road in the coming days as some oil spilled onto the road surface.

Sgt Andy Walton, of Lancashire Police, said: “These are tragic circumstances and my thoughts are with this man’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“We are appealing for information and would be keen to speak to anyone who saw either the black Volkswagen or any of the vehicles reported prior to the collision.

“We are also advising motorists to drive carefully in the area in the coming days. While the road has been cleared and heavily gritted, it is possible some engine oil could be on the road surface. Please take extra care when driving.

“If you can help with our appeal, please get in touch.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log reference LC-20161201-0193