A DRIVER who rammed into the back of a police car leaving an officer with spinal injuries was being sought last night.

The man, who was driving a red Nissan Micra, was being pursued by police after failing to stop in Preston Old Road.

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He was followed to Livesey Branch Road where he hit the back of a police car and then drove off.

The car was later found abandoned in Heys Close.

Livesey Branch Road was closed for nearly three hours between the Coverdale Drive roundabout to the junction with Star Drive while a damaged lamppost was made safe, leaving traffic having to divert through Cherry Tree.

Student Joshua Logan, 16, who was at the scene, said: “The car went right into the back of the police car and pushed it into the lamppost.

“I saw the police officer in the driver’s side. It looked like he had been knocked out.

“After that lots of police came and the officer was taken to hospital.

“The air ambulance landed at the back of some houses but I think he was taken in a normal ambulance.

“It must have been going on for about three hours.”

Resident Pete Logan, 68, said: “We heard the police sirens at around 2.30pm.

“I do hope the officer is OK. It is a very serious thing.

“I believe it has caused a bit of chaos on the road.”

“It is unusual – this neighbourhood is not given to police chases. There have been a couple of accidents where they have had to shut this road off, but it is not given to police chases.”

A police spokeswoman said: “The car travelled towards Feniscowles and then headed towards Cherry Tree.

“The vehicle then stopped, rammed into a police car then made off from Livesey Branch Road.

“The car was then found abandoned on Heys Close.”

An ambulance spokeswoman said: “The patient has spinal injuries and was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.”

Witnesses can call 101 quoting log number 697 of October 10.