A MOTORIST who died in a head-on horror smash was being followed by a car he had clipped five minutes earlier, police said.

A 48-year-old Longridge man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving as police bid to establish whether his pursuit played a role in the crash.

Damian Ryan, 31, died after his black Ford Focus lost control and rolled head-on into a Subaru Impreza, before bursting into flames in Preston Road, Grimsargh, at 7.30pm on Sunday.

The driver of the Impreza, a 38-year-old man from Fulwood, was last night being treated in intensive care for serious injuries.

In the five minutes leading up to the crash, Mr Ryan had clipped the Longridge man’s car, sparking the pursuit, and then rolled his vehicle onto its side, officers said.

At this point Mr Ryan got out and managed to push the Focus back onto four wheels before setting off again, police said.

Officers said their investigation would try to establish the manner of the blue Focus’ pursuit and the driver’s actions.

Sergeant Dennis Nicholson said: “We are investigating a complex sequence of events that has ultimately led to a young man losing his life and left another man in a serious condition in hospital.”

The first crash happened in Chapel Hill, Longridge, near the Old Oak pub when Mr Ryan’s car clipped a blue Ford Focus, police said.

The driver of the second Focus set off in pursuit, according to officers.

Shortly after, Mr Ryan’s Ford Focus lost control and ended up on its side.

Police said the other car was still following, but Mr Ryan had time to pushed the vehicle back onto four wheels.

Minutes later Mr Ryan, of Bamber Bridge, died in the head-on crash.

Anthony Ball, 44, who lives in Preston Road, said he put out the fire that had started in the overturned Focus.

He said that debris from the smash lined the road for more than 100 metres.

“It was a horrific scene,” said Mr Ball. “I knew at once that he was dead.

“The car had been crushed.

“The Subaru was in a bad way and was very badly damaged at the front.

“The man inside was put on a drip and was told not to look at his legs. They had to cut him out of the car.”

Police said speed was likely to have been a factor in the smash, but said they do not yet know how quick the black Focus was travelling.

Sgt Nicholson said that the black Ford Focus followed the blue Focus towards Preston after the initial accident.

He said: “Firstly I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the minor collision between the black and blue Ford Focus outside the Old Oak public house to get in touch.

“I am confident that between 7pm and 7.20pm on a bank holiday weekend there would have been plenty of people either in the car park or nearby that could be important witnesses.

“I would also appeal for people to come forward that saw the blue Ford Focus overturn on the road to Grimsargh or saw the fatal collision itself.

“Again it would still have been light and it happened on a busy main road so I am keen to speak to anyone that witnessed anything at all to come forward.

“Finally I would also like to hear from anybody that witnessed any vehicle driving irresponsibly in the area at the time or any motorist that had to avoid an oncoming vehicle as they could have vital information that could help us with our investigation.”

The road was blocked until around midnight.

The Longridge man has been released on bail while further inquiries are carried out.

Anyone with information should call Preston road policing unit on 01772 203203 or Lancashire police on 08451 25 35 45.