A PENSIONER who died after being trapped by his own car has been described as 'quiet and friendly' by his neighbours.

Police are appealing for information after the 78-year-old suffered serious leg injuries while moving his car at 1am on Saturday morning.

The man was taken from his drive in Avallon Way, Darwen, to Royal Preston Hospital but died the next day from his injuries.

The police believe the man may have fallen from the door on the driver's side and became trapped, however it is not clear what exactly caused his injuries.

One Avallon Way resident, who lived a couple of doors down from the man, said he was woken up by his girlfriend when she heard the emergency services.

He said: "I woke up and saw all the flashing lights from the fire service and the paramedics.

"He was taken to hospital and I was told he died, it was so sad.

"It's such a terrible thing, he was quiet and friendly and kept to himself, we never spoke a lot but we always said hello when one of us was coming and going.

"The snow was quite bad on the night it happened and you could see tyre marks on the grass where the car had been.

"It's never a good time but especially around Christmas, I hope his family are okay."

Another Avallon Way resident said: "I can't believe something like that would happen.

"You've got to be so careful, especially when the weather is as bad as it has been recently.

"I can only think of the man's family and friends, you never think of this happening to anyone, let alone someone on your street."

Tyre tracks in the snow could be seen on the grass and part of the front hedge had been pushed back.

Another neighbour said: "Must be so saddening for his family and if he lived with anyone.

"Life can be taken away so quickly and so suddenly.

"I hope people can help the police and bring any bits of information they have or something they saw to their attention to figure out what happened.

"If it is left a mystery then it would be very uncomfortable for his loved ones."

The police have asked anyone who saw the man in his car that night to come forward.

Sergeant Lee Harris of Lancashire's Road Policing Unit, said: "This was a tragic incident which has led to the death of a gentleman.

"We believe that the man may have fallen from the door of the driver's side while manoeuvring his vehicle, where he has then become trapped.

"We are striving to establish exactly what happened."

"Anyone with information, or who saw what happened, should contact police on 101 quoting log number 83 of 9th December."