TWO men from Nelson were killed and a teenage girl from Burnley was seriously injured in a road smash in West Yorkshire last night.

The trio were in a Honda Civic when it was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Cavalier on the A650 at Riddlesden, near Keighley.

The dead men, who have not yet been named, were the driver and front seat passenger in the Honda which was being driven towards Bradford.

The female passenger, believed to be a 17-year-old girl from Burnley, was trapped by her arm and legs and firefighters removed the roof of the car to get her out. She was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where she was said to be in a serious condition in the intensive care unit.

The driver of the other car, a man from Bradford, is in Airedale General Hospital where his condition was said to be serious. It is thought that his injuries are not life threatening.

The accident happened at about 7.20pm and the road was blocked for several hours and extensive damage was caused to the nearside of the Honda.

Resident Maria Clarkson said she heard an "almighty bang" shortly after a bus pulled up at a stop opposite her house. Her daughter, Roxana Clarkson, held the hand of the badly injured Burnley girl as she was being rescued.

She said: "She was awake most of the time saying "get me out, get me out' I told her to relax and tried to keep her calm and awake which helps people from going into shock.

"It was a very frightening experience. The cars were in a mess and there were bollards from the nearby roadworks scattered all over."

Leading firefighter Ian Jackson, of Keighley Fire Station, said: "When we arrived at the scene the driver of the Honda was already receiving treatment from paramedics.

"Two passers-by were helping the male and female passengers by supporting their necks. There was considerable damage to the left side of the Honda and we had to use cutting and jacking equipment to release the casualties."

Anybody with information should call Keighley Police on 01535 617 059.

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