EAST LANCASHIRE'S new M65 extension has claimed its first victim after a young woman was killed just six days after the £145 million highway was opened.

Police were today still trying to discover what caused the accident but they issued a warning to motorists to be extra vigilant until they become used to the new road.

Angela Farren, 28, suffered multiple injuries when she collided with four vehicles after splitting up from her younger sister to look for fuel.

Their Ford Transit van broke down at around 7pm on Saturday in an unlit section close to where three lanes merge into two, near the Hoghton Arms slip road at Withnell.

The woman, from St Helens, was walking along the carriageway close to the hard shoulder when she was hit by a VW Golf and thrown into the second lane where three other vehicles collided with her body.

In the resulting chaos Alan Clements, 37, of Tresco Close, Blackburn, who was joining the motorway in his Ford Fiesta, suffered whiplash injuries when he crashed into the stationary Volkswagen.

Maureen Hall, 49, Milbrook Close, Wheelton, and her passenger Suzanne Higgins, 43, Manby Close, Hoghton, were inside the car and both sustained minor injuries.

A section of westbound carriageway was closed for more than four hours to allow emergency services to clear the scene.

Officers from Lancashire Police were joined by fire crews from Darwen and Bamber Bridge. The casualties were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary by paramedics from Darwen and Altham. Sgt Steve Good of Lancashire Police motorway section, said: "We never expected to be attending such a horrific accident so soon after the motorway opened.

"The accident investigation team are piecing together what happened but people are still getting used to the road and the woman may not have realised she was walking on the carriageway."

Leading ambulanceman Brian Gorton, based at Darwen, added: "It was quite obvious when we arrived that nothing could be done for the casualty. It was very dark and there was a lot of confusion and chaos among the people involved, who were obviously very shocked and upset."

Police are appealing for the driver of a sixth vehicle, who may have witnessed the accident, to come forward to help with inquiries.

Inspector Peter Stas, who is in charge of the motorway, added: "Motorists need to be aware that the hard shoulder on this motorway is not red like all the others in Lancashire. It is black and only a broad white line divides it from the main carriageway."

"We would also like to warn people who have broken down to be very careful when walking along the hard shoulder, especially at junctions of slip roads."

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