Accident probe police heading for Prague

12:34pm Monday 7th April 2008

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POLICE are set to visit the Czech Republic as part of an investigation into a fatal road smash in East Lancashire.

Tomas Flasar, 19, died when the car he was travelling in collided with a taxi on a notorious stretch of road in Whalley in January.

The back-seat passenger suffered massive internal injuries and died at the scene, while three other occupants, including the driver, also suffered serious injuries.

Now, almost three months after the crash, two officers from Accrington are set to travel to the Czech capital Prague to meet survivors and the parents of the dead teenager.

Sgt Mick Young will complete the journey tomorrow along with his colleague PC Andy Spouse.

Sgt Young said: "The visit is something that we would do as a routine if the victim was in England, but it is much more tricky when we need to travel abroad.

"The meeting will be very important as part of our investigation into the crash and there is still a possibility that proceedings will be brought against the driver."

A 47-year-old Clitheroe man suffered minor injuries when his Vauxhall Vectra taxi was struck by the Skoda on the A671 Accrington Road in Whalley on Saturday, January 19, at 10pm.

Sgt Young said he would be taking statements from the passengers in the car as well as Mr Flasar's family.

The 18-year-old man, who was the driver of the Skoda, and a 19-year-old woman, who was the back seat passenger both suffered injuries which they are still struggling to overcome.

An 18-year-old man, who was the front seat passenger, was described as "walking wounded".