A WOMAN and her eight-year-old son were cut free from their car after a rush- hour smash on the M65.

The woman, 35, and her son were travelling west near junction 6 at Whitebirk, Blackburn, when the three-car collision happened. Her Peugeot 308 was hit from behind at around 5.45pm on Friday.

Fire crews cut through the side of the car to remove the driver and rear passenger on spinal boards.

The 22-year-old female driver of the Ford Fiesta which collided with the vehicle received nose and leg injuries. The casualties were taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Hyndburn fire crew manager Don Brady said: “We were called to a three- car bumper-to-bumper rear shunt collision.

“We did a full side removal of the vehicle to get them out of the car on a long board.

“As a precautionary measure we put a neck brace on them, and back support on the mother.

“The little boy was in the back of the car and after the crash the mother jumped into the back with him, out of instinct.

“The road conditions were poor. The road was wet and it was dark. It was quite a serious crash.”

The third vehicle received minor damage.