A WOMAN died after her car crashed into a tree.

Officers were called to Accrington Road, Hapton, after a white Vauxhall Corsa struck a tree close to The Bentley Wood Farm pub shortly before 6am yesterday.

The 21-year-old woman, from Darwen, who is yet to be named by police, was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene. The road was closed off for more than five hours while police investigated how the incident happened.

A Burnley Road resident said the road’s speed limit should be reduced.

He said: “It is absolutely awful the woman has died. We don’t know what happened but the road is very unsafe.

“There’s a really bad bend on that corner and cars have been known to crash there. The road is 30mph until a certain point, then it becomes 50mph. I think it should all be lowered.”

The road was closed from the Hapton Inn at the junction of Manchester Road, to where Accrington Road meets the roundabout near the Network 65 Business Park.

Motorists were being asked to find alternative routes while the road was closed and the Burnley Bus Company tweeted to its users to say their buses were delayed due to the crash.

It said the number nine service turned off at the Network 65 Business Park and travelled along the M65 to junction eight and continued its normal route after coming off the A56.

Another Burnley Road resident said: “There’s a fence near the pub which is always down because people crash into it.

“This shows there’s something wrong with this road and it needs to be looked at.

“It’s really bad this woman has died. She might have had a family who will now be so upset.”

Cllr Jean Cunningham, who represents the area on Burnley Council, said her thoughts were with the woman’s family. She said: “I can’t believe the poor woman has lost her life.

“It’s two months away from Christmas as well. It’s going to be such a tough time for them.

“We don’t know what caused it, but I hope the police do everything they can to support the family in this sad time.”

Another Burnley Road resident said there had been crashes on the road in the past.

Sgt Lee Harris said: “These are tragic circumstances and my thoughts are with the woman involved and her family at this time.

“We are appealing for information following the collision and would be keen to speak to anyone who can assist with our enquiries.

“If you saw the vehicle involved before the incident, or saw what happened, please call us.”

Contact police on 101.