A MOTORIST involved in a seven-car crash in Nelson is being hunted by police after he is thought to have fled the scene.

A passenger in a black Honda Civic R, travelling alongside a white Mercedes C63, was taken by air ambulance to Wythenshawe Hospital with serious injuries after the cars were in collision with a VW Touran and other parked cars in the town’s Hibson Road.

Police have issued an appeal for the Mercedes driver after he is said to have walked away from the crash which also left a Renault Megane, Vauxhall Corsa, Audi A7, BMW 338 and Seat Leon damaged.

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Road officers closed the busy main road for up to six hours after the incident, close to the junction with Percy Street, just after 4pm on Saturday.

Three others inside the Civic walked away with cuts and bruises.

The driver is said to have suffered a fractured spine and remains in the Manchester hospital for observation.

And four people in the Touran were also said to have suffered whiplash injuries as a result of the collision.

An inspector, speaking shortly after the crash, told the Lancashire Telegraph that the identities of the drivers were known to the constabulary.

Pc Mark Newton, of the road policing unit at Colne, said: “This was a major collision involving a number of vehicles and it is lucky that no-one was more seriously injured.

“An investigation into how this collision occurred is underway and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened to contact us as soon as possible.

“We are also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen any of the vehicles involved driving prior to the collision and anyone with any information should contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting log 938 of September 12.

The incident has prompted renewed calls for traffic-calming measures along the road, which is a popular route between Nelson and Brierfield avoiding Manchester Road, by borough and county councillors.

The collision happened close to the former El Tropicano nightclub.