A VAN ploughed through a barrier and crashed into a river, firefighters said.

Crews from Nelson, Burnley and a boat team from Preston were called to Woodend Road, in Brierfield, at 8.45pm yesterday.

A fire service spokesman said crews were called by police officers to assist after the van left the road and ended up in Pendle Water.

He said: "Police called for assistance in the search for possible casualties following a road traffic collision at which a van had left the road, gone through a barrier and into a river.

"Firefighters from Nelson, Burnley and boat crew colleagues from Preston searched for occupants of the van, who were found to have got out of the vehicle safely and were on the river bank."