A 52-YEAR-OLD man was taken to Preston Royal Hospital following a car crash in Chorley.

The man was travelling towards Coppull on the A49 in icy conditions when he lost control of the Fiat Punto.

He was travelling around a bend when he skidded across the road and went over a barrier and into the drainage ditch of a field.

Firefighters cut the roof off the car with a hydraulic cutting device and then lifted the driver out of the cavity.

He was conscious and breathing, but complained of pain in his back and waist.

The man was the only person involved in the incident, which happened just after 3am today.

Crew Manager Ian Turnbull, of Chorley Fire Service, said: “Take care in cold weather.

“If you get the feeling that it’s cold, please drive carefully.

“Heed weather warnings, because when you lose control of your vehicle, you very rarely recover unscathed.

“You will either lose money through damage to your property or hurt yourself or others.”