ONE man died and another was seriously injured in a smash involving a 17-ton lorry on a busy main road.

Police closed Preston New Road, Mellor Brook, for several hours after the accident, near the Windmill service station, at 11.40am yesterday.

Motorcyclist Stephen Baron, 51, of Carnforth Close, Blackburn, was thrown from his machine and landed in the garden of a nearby house and was critical but stable in hospital today.

Mohammed Ali Hussain, 29, of Reedley Road, Reedley, was killed when his car collided with the lorry and then the motorcycle.

Mr Hussain, who was driving a Rover saloon car, was on his way to visit friends in the Preston area and was leaving the service station when the accident happened.

Mr Baron suffered serious back and chest injuries. He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital.

The driver of the Miller's Transport lorry, from West Yorkshire, was not injured. His lorry was carrying chemicals but there was no spillage.

Mr Hussain had celebrated his 29th birthday the previous Friday. He leaves a wife, Shabana, and an 18-month-old baby girl, Aliya.

He has three brothers and a sister.

Born in Burnley, he attended Walter Street Primary School and Mansfield High School, Brierfield, and was also a student at Burnley College.

He had been working but was currently unemployed.

A member of the family said today: "He was a jolly lad without a bad word to say about anyone. He just loved to get on with life and to be with his family.''

Mr Hussain was keen on keeping fit and regularly attended body building sessions at a local gym.

Anyone who saw the accident is asked to contact Chorley Police on 01257 269021.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.