A YOUNG driver was lucky to avoid serious injury after a Jeep crashed onto its side in Belmont.

Eye-witnesses say they believe the driver of the silver vehicle was about 15-years-old when he stepped out of the wreckage.

It was also reported a younger child was a passenger in the car, and may have been aged only 11 or 12.

The Jeep collided with two parked vehicles in High Street before rolling onto its side at about 10pm on Saturday.

The car had smashed into a parked Volkswagen Golf, which shunted into a people carrier that was also parked up.

The Jeep then rolled over into the middle of the road.

High Street resident Jamie Summerscales, aged 30, said: “I live right on the doorstep of where it happened, just outside the Post Office, and I heard a really loud bang.

“At first I was worried that it was my son falling out of bed so ran upstairs but then I looked out of the window and saw a car on its side in the middle of the road.

“I ran over straight away to see if there was anyone injured that needed help and as I got there a young lad popped up and he was followed out of the car by an even younger lad.

“Police told me that the first boy was 15-years-old and I believe the second could only have been 11 or 12 years old.

“They were lucky not to be badly injured — the car was a big Jeep so it might have protected them a bit.”

Mr Summerscales said that the two youngsters tried to flee from the scene but local residents were able to keep them there until police and ambulance crews arrived.

He said: “They were in shock I think. One of the boys had a cut on his hand but it didn’t look serious.”

He said the Jeep vehicle and the Golf appeared to have been “written off” in the crash, with the people carrier also damaged.

He added: “I know the man who owns both cars and he came out of his house — obviously he wasn’t very happy.”

Lancashire Police were investigating the incident, but were yesterday unable to confirm any details on the car occupants.