A MOTORCYCLIST has died after a horror crash with a van on a rural road.

The 51-year-old from Bacup was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital but medics were unable to save him.

A 34-year-old van driver from Rochdale was unhurt in the crash on Saturday at 4pm on Burnley Road close to the former Deerplay Inn, near Weir.

Police said the motorcyclist, who is from Bacup, was knocked from his Yamaha bike in a crash with a Vauxhall Vivaro.

Detectives are now appealing for information about the smash.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The road was closed for three hours while accident investigators attended the scene.

READ MORE: Road re-opened after serious collision

Sgt Adam Dawson, of Lancashire Police's tactical operations team, said: "These are tragic circumstances and my thoughts are with the motorcyclist and his family at this sad time.

"We are continuing to appeal for witnesses and would urge anyone who can assist with our enquiries to come forward.

"If you have any information please call 101 quoting log 1147 of February 23."

Eye-witnesses reported seeing an air ambulance land next to the road. 

James Dyke was trying to pass over the road at around 5pm when he reached a police road block stopping him from going any further.

He said: "I don't know the full extent of what happened, but it doesn't look good.

"This road has been bad for some time as there are no measures in place to stop speeding."