A FOUR-year-old boy was fighting for his life after being seriously hurt in a crash involving three cars.

The youngster suffered a serious head injury and a neck injury following the crash in De Havilland Way in Horwich, near the junction with Lostock Lane at 6.45pm yesterday.

The boy, a back seat passenger of a silver Peugeot 206 being driven by his mother, was cut out of the car by firefighters. He and his mother were taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital by ambulance.

His mother's injuries are not thought to be serious. She freed herself from the car before emergency services arrived.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: "A fouryear- old boy went to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

His injuries were serious and life threatening. He had a serious head injury and neck injury.

His mum did go with him but not as a patient."

Watch commander Glyn McGann, of Horwich Fire Station, said: "We used cutting equipment to free the boy. He was in the rear of the car. He was screaming and was injured. His mum was outside the car when we arrived."

A Land Rover and Vauxhall Insignia were also involved in the collision. Their occupants suffered minor injuries but did not go to hospital.

James White, aged 18, from Chorley, arrived at the scene about 15 minutes after the crash.

He said: "I was going along Lostock Lane towards Middlebrook for food before the football match and I saw police cars everywhere. There must have been around four or five. I realised there was a crash as they started blocking off the road.

"I knew it must be serious because I have never seen so many emergency service vehicles in one place. I didn’t know a child had been trapped but the Peugeot car looked so smashed. Everyone around the road, even after it happens, feels in shock. It’s awful.”

Firefighters from Horwich and Bolton Central attended.

Road closures were put in place for several hours.