Police are appealing for information after a collision on the M65 left two people with serious injuries.
Officers are investigating whether two cars racing against each other was a factor in the collision.
The collision happened at about 5.50pm yesterday (Sunday, April 26th) after two cars, a white BMW 330 and a black VW Polo GTI, joined the motorway at J14 and appeared to race Westbound along the carriageway.
Both vehicles then undertook a third car, a blue Renault Megane, which lost control and collided with the central reservation before ending up on its roof.
The driver of the Megane, a 43-year-old man from Colne, was thrown from the car and suffered serious injuries. The front seat passenger, a 37-year-old woman from Colne, also suffered serious injuries. Both were taken by ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital.
The BMW and the Polo made off from the scene.
Two men, aged 21 and 26, both from Nelson, were later arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and failing to report a collision. They remain in custody.
The vehicles have been seized for examination.
The M65 was closed for a number of hours for collision investigation.
Sgt Finn Quainton, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Tac Ops, said: “This collision has left two people with significant injuries and I would appeal for anyone who saw the collision itself or the manner of driving of the BMW, Polo or the Megane prior to the collision to get in touch. I would also ask anyone who may have dashcam to come forward.
“A number of witnesses have described two vehicles racing and we are investigating whether that was a factor in the collision.”
Police would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the important COVID messages that all speed limits are still in operation, and that they are being enforced. Also, all journeys taken should be essential travel only.
Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting log 1141 of April 26th
