THREE passengers from a Land Rover were taken to hospital after it collided with a minibus and car in Whalley.

Police said their injuries were probably more serious because of the lack of rear seatbelts in the vehicle.

Jolene Clark, 15, of Kingsmill Avenue, Whalley, suffered a fractured skull and was "satisfactory" at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

David Emmett, 17, of Clarendon Road East, Little Harwood, had a fractured jaw and was "comfortable."

Emma Rushton, 16, of Kingsmill Avenue, Whalley, was treated for cuts and bruises and allowed home.

The Land Rover driver, Alexander Jackson, 18, of Portfield Lane, Whalley. was uninjured in the crash on Station Road.

Clitheroe police said the Land Rover clipped the rear side of an oncoming minibus, throwing it off course, and it collided with a Ford Escort.

The Land Rover and Ford Escort were extensively damaged.

A police spokesman said: "There are no seatbelts in the back of Land Rovers, which is a factor which has contributed to the injuries."

The driver of the Ford Escort, Harold Walmsley, 62, suffered whiplash, and June Walmsley, 51, suffered bruised legs. The couple, who live on Ventnor Road, Haslingden, declined hospital treatment.

The minibus driver, Kevin Johnson, 45, of Fairfield Drive, Burnley, and his passengers were uninjured.

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