THE HUSBAND of a pregnant teacher injured in a horrific car smash has told of his relief that both his wife and unborn child are okay.

Nadine Merciere, a 31-year-old French teacher from Rishton, was involved in a head-on crash in Belmont Road, near Abbey Village, on Friday, as she returned from work in Bolton.

Her Renault Clio collided with a silver Peugeot 206 travelling in the opposite direction, which police said had been tying to overtake a van.

It has been suggested that her left-hand drive car may have saved four-months pregnant Nadine from serious injury, as the right side was left crumpled A 36-year-old man has been accused of driving while disqualified, drink driving, dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and criminal damage in conne-ction with the crash.

The police, ambulance and fire services were called to the incident on the notorious road around 4.45pm on Friday.

It was feared Nadine had suffered serious injuries as she had to be cut out of the crumpled Clio by fire-fighters and taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital by ambulance.

Husband Fabian said: “She has bruises every-where on her body, but she’s been allowed back home.

“I’m very relieved because I thought she had died. They had to cut off the doors to even get her out.

“We have been told the baby is okay, but are due to see a nurse just to have some checks on the heartbeat.

“She is so very lucky to escape with just bruises. The car is written off, but I think the airbags and the left-hand drive helped her.

“She is very careful with the seatbelt and puts it very low and very high above the belly. She has some big marks.”

Andrew Hebson, 36, of St Mark’s Road, Blackburn, has appeared at Chorley Magistrates’ Court, charged with driving whilst disqualified, drink-driving, dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and criminal damage.