TWO people were killed today on a hilltop route dubbed East Lancashire's death road.

Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to the accident in Grane Road near Belthorn at around 9am after a lorry and two vehicles collided close to the Grey Mare pub.

It is believed the driver of a Vauxhall Astra van lost control on a bend and collided with an HGV belonging to Clitheroe conservatory roof firm Ultraframe.

The van was then pushed into a Volkswagen Polo which had been travelling behind it.

Police confirmed both victims were travelling in the Astra.

A spokesman for the Fire Brigade said: "It appears the Vauxhall Astra has lost control and gone into the path of the lorry where a collision has caused it to then hit a white Volkswagen Polo travelling behind.

"The Astra was already on fire and the woman driving the Polo has quickly put the vehicle into reverse and got out of the way. She is considerably shocked and shaken but escaped unhurt and was taken to hospital for treatment."

It is believed the driver of the lorry was also taken to hospital but is thought to be unhurt.

The road was closed for hours and traffic built up in both directions as police, firefighters and ambulance crews worked at the scene. Crews from Rawtenstall and Blackburn fire stations battled to cut out the people trapped in the burned and crushed van.

The Lancashire Constabulary helicopter was also called in to take aerial photographs of the scene.

Landlord of the Grey Mare, Tony Kenyon, who could see the carnage from his window, said: "There was thick fog across the road this morning and it looks like a lorry and two cars are involved. "From what I can see there is just a chewed up chunk of metal in the road surrounded by police cars, fire engines and ambulances.

"There have been lots of accidents in this road and if things are left as they are there will be many more.

"Something needs to be done."

The road, where 83 people have been killed or injured in the last two years, has become a rat-run for commuters since the new M65 extension opened in December 1997 and pressure groups living in Grane Road, Haslingden, and Belthorn Village have long campaigned for traffic calming measures to be introduced.

A fire spokesman said two other people received treatment from paramedics at the scene.

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