A BUS driver from Blackburn has died after his vehicle was involved in an accident with a wagon.

The 64-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after the accident, at about 2.45pm yesterday on the A56 near Edenfield, Rossendale.

The incident caused rush hour chaos which saw traffic backed up into neighbouring towns and left Rawtenstall gridlocked.

Two fire crews from Accrington and Rawtenstall cut the driver, from the double-decker X40 bus, which takes passengers from Manchester to Great Harwood.

He was taken by air ambulance to Preston Royal Infirmary but later died from serious multiple injuries.

Three passengers on the bus were also taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with minor injuries, including whiplash and minor cuts.

The northbound carriageway of the M66 was gridlocked from junction three, Bury Road was cordoned off and traffic was backed up into Rawtenstall.

A police spokesman said: "The bus driver was airlifted to hospital. The bus was not full. Tail backs were significant."

Lancashire Ambulance service had five ambulances at the scene.

A spokesman said: "We kept some staff on scene because of the hot weather conditions and people in cars sat there for such a long time can prove a hazard. But there were no further emergencies.

"The driver of the bus suffered chest and leg injuries."

A spokesman for Lancashire United, which operates the bus service, confirmed that company managers had been at the scene.

police have launched an investigation.

Were you on the bus? Contact the Lancashire Telegraph newsdesk on 01254 298205.