POLICE are investigating whether two cars racing on a motorway caused a serious crash that left two people in hospital.

Officers arrested two men following the incident at around 5.50pm on Sunday on the M65 close to junction 14 which saw one victim thrown from his car.

On the westbound carriageway a Renault Megane hit the central reservation, leaving the driver and the passenger with serious injuries.

Both were taken to Royal Preston Hospital where they are still undergoing treatment.

Officers are now investigating whether two cars racing against each other was a factor in the collision, after a white BMW 330 and a black VW Polo GTI joined the motorway at junction 14 and appeared to be being driven recklessly.

A spokesperson for the police said: “Both vehicles undertook a third car, a blue Renault Megane, which lost control and collided with the central reservation before ending up on its roof.

“The driver of the Megane, a 43-year-old man from Colne, was thrown from the car and suffered serious injuries.

“The front seat passenger, a 37-year-old woman from Colne, also suffered serious injuries.”

The motorway was closed for five hours while accident investigators attended the scene.

The spokesperson added: “The BMW and the Polo made off but two men, aged 21 and 26, both from Nelson, were later arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop and failing to report a collision.

“They remain in custody and the vehicles have been seized for examination.”

Sgt Finn Quainton said: “This collision has left two people with significant injuries and I would appeal for anyone who saw the collision or the manner of driving of the BMW, Polo or the Megane prior to the collision to get in touch.

“I would also ask anyone who may have dashcam footage to come forward.

“A number of witnesses have described two vehicles racing and we are investigating whether that was a factor in the collision.”

The police are now reiterating that all journeys taken should be for essential travel only during the coronavirus crisis.

County Councillor Azhar Ali said: “These kind of incidents have increased in the last couple of weeks, not only on the motorway with cars taking over other cars from the hard shoulder, but also on the main roads in Burnley all the way through to Nelson.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone is killed.

“More needs to be done by the police to show there is zero tolerance to this.

“It is unacceptable and people will die as a result. Anyone who is caught doing this should be arrested and made an example of.”

Anyone with information about the incident can contact the police on 101 quoting log reference 1141 of April 26.