Cardiac arrest kills crash passenger

3:38pm Sunday 13th April 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

A PASSENGER in a head on crash died after suffering a cardiac arrest in hospital.

Leonard Miller's wife janet was driving along the A59 at Clayton-le-Dale on Saturday when their blue Ford Mondeo crashed into a grey Ford Ranger pick-up near the turn off for Ribchester Road.

Police said they believed the Mondeo had veered across the carriageway and collided with the four-wheel drive vehicle.

Mr Miller, 59, from the Thornton Cleveleys area, was released from the car by paramedics and taken by ambulance to Royal Blackburn Hospital suffering from injuries to his abdomen, right leg and head.

He suffered a cardiac arrest soon after he arrived at hospital, and died.

Mrs Miller, 59, was cut out by firefighters who removed the vehicle's roof.

She also suffered abdominal injuries and a suspected neck fracture.

Mrs Miller was lifted to Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance where she last night remained in a poorly but stable condition.

The family in the Ranger escaped with minor injuries.

Neil Cook, who was driving, had whiplash type injuries; his wife Kerry suffered a pelvic injury; their eight-year-old daughter Ellie fractured her right wrist, and five-year-old son Charlie had seatbelt injuries.

The family, from Radcliffe, were transported to Royal Blackburn Hospital to be treated for their injuries, and discharged later that evening.

Three ambulances attended as well as the air ambulance, and police units and fire crews from Blackburn and Longridge.

Police closed a section of the road shortly after the accident at 5.10pm on Saturday for three-and-a-half hours whilst an investigation was carried out and vehicles cleared from the road.

The road was closed from the traffic lights to Showley Road, and traffic diverted.

Sergeant Mick Young said: "We are still investigating this accident, and would appeal for any witnesses to get in touch."

Anyone with information can contact the Road Policing Unit on 01254 353210.