A WOMAN was taken to hospital after her vehicle was in collision with a police car in Rawtenstall.

The incident, which resulted in the 58-year-old woman suffering neck and chest injuries, took place near the traffic lights on St Mary’s Way.

Police said that the patrol car was responding to an emergency incident at the time of the accident and an investigation was now under way.

Members of the Rawtenstall fire and rescue team were called to the scene to free the woman from a Peugeot 306.

Watch Manager Tony Ashworth said: “We had to use the heavy-duty cutting equipment to take the roof off the woman’s car.

“She was in shock and had injuries to her neck so in conjunction with the ambulance team we made sure her spine was kept straight as we put her on the spine board.

“The operation took about 20 minutes.”

Inspector Dave Hodgson said: “The incident took place at Haslingden Road junction where a police car was responding to an emergency incident.

“Two police officers suffered minor muscle injuries during the crash.

“An investigation will now take place into how the accident actually occurred.”

The woman was taken to Fairfield General Hospital in Bury but her husband, 73, who was driving the vehicle, was unharmed.

The road was closed for two and a half hours while emergency services removed both vehicles.