A BOY and girl were taken to hospital with neck injuries after a three-car crash in Blackburn.

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses to the incident at 7.40pm on Monday night after people in one of the cars ran off.

A Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Polo and a Mini were involved in a crash in Audley Range at the junction of Bonchurch Street.

The driver of the Polo, a woman aged in her 30s, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital with a possible fractured pelvis.

A 13-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were passengers in the Polo and were taken to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for treatment for neck injuries, and an 18-year-old woman also in the same car was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for assessment.

The driver of the Mini, a 32-year-old man from Blackburn, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and has been released under investigation.

Meanwhile the occupants of the Astra fled the scene on foot and enquiries are now underway to locate them.

One is a white man, 5ft10in tall, with dark hair, of medium to heavy build, wearing a two-tone hooded top, knee-length shorts and trainers.

At least one other person is believed to have been in the Astra.

The road was closed for around four hours while collision investigators attended.

Sgt Paul Maguire said: “This collision left several people injured and we are working hard to piece together exactly what occurred.

“If you saw the collision, or saw any of the vehicles in the moments before the collision occurred, we would ask that you contact us as soon as possible.”

Two further vehicles – a BMW 1 Series and a Toyota Verso – were parked up unattended nearby and were also damaged during the incident.

Anybody with information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting log number 1421 of March 18th.