AN horrific head-on collision claimed the life of a Bury teacher and seriously injured his girlfriend.

Firefighters and paramedics fought for nearly two hours to release 30-year-old Gordon Walker and Elizabeth Thompson, 28, from the wreckage of a Vauxhall Nova.

The accident happened on Blackburn Road, Rishton, close to Whitebirk roundabout, at 8.15pm on Saturday, as the couple headed towards Blackburn.

Police said Miss Thompson, of Hope Street, Great Harwood, was driving the Nova when it was in a head-on collision with a Honda Accord.

The couple and the driver of the Honda were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Mr Walker, of Timberhurst, Bury later died from his injuries. His girlfriend, who works as a teacher in the Blackburn area, was kept in for treatment to lower limb and back injuries and her condition is described as "comfortable and stable". The driver of the Honda, David Evans, 48, of Tucker Hill, Clitheroe was released after treatment for minor injuries.

Mr Walker's parents, who live in Green Lane, Blackburn, were today said to be too devastated to talk.

Mr Walker was a popular teacher at Unsworth County Primary School in Bury and had lived in Bury for about two years.

A neighbour said today: "He was a very nice, quiet man. We are all terribly shocked by this."

Staff and children learned of the death as they arrived at school today. Bury's acting chief education officer Graham Talbot said: "They are naturally devastated but the school is coping with the tragedy."

PC Gordon Dickinson of Accrington Police who attended the scene, said: "The accident is being fully investigated and we would like to hear from any witness."

The number to ring is 01254 382141.

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