POLICE trying to piece together the last movements of a car involved in a fatal accident and are appealing for help.

The E-reg Ford Escort was driving around Bamber Bridge and Leyland an hour-and-a-half before it was involved in a car crash in Coppull, near Chorley, at 4.15am on Saturday (October 9).

The accident happened as the E-reg Escort, driven by David Robert Wood, of Dicken Road, Chorley, began to overtake another Escort on a bend.

The first vehicle crashed into a lamp post and tree causing the back seat passenger to be hurled through the windscreen and to the opposite side of the road.

The passenger, Matthew Gale, 15, of Shevington, was hit by the second Ford Escort and suffered multiple injuries. He died in Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital.

David Wood was detained then released on police bail.

Two other passengers in his car, Raegan Brady, of Standish and Paul Gaughan, of Chorley, were also injured.

Anyone who saw the maroon Escort, or were overtaken by it, are asked to call Chorley Police on (01257) 269021.

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