AN expectant mother had a miscarriage and suffered a broken neck when she was involved in an horrific accident.

Natalie Blackburn was in a car with her ex-boyfriend when he lost control and smashed into another vehicle.

She was cut from the wreckage by firefighters and taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

The 21-year-old, from Bromley Cross, is now recovering from her injuries.

Speaking from her hospital bed, she said; "I can remember the car spinning round, but I have no idea why or what happened.

"The next thing I remember is being trapped in the car by the car seat and being cut out by the fire brigade and police.

"If anyone saw anything then I would urge them to get in touch with the police so they can work out what happened."

Miss Blackburn was in Rockerfellas in Bradshawgate with friends on March 3 when her ex-boyfriend picked her up at 1am.

The accident happened as they were driving along Tonge Moor Road, near Matalan.

After initially being taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital, Miss Blackburn - who also suffered a shattered pelvis and arm in the accident - was transferred to the neurological high dependency ward at Hope Hospital in Salford.

She was placed in a halo vest - a body brace to prevent her causing any damage to her spinal cord - and a pelvis brace to hold her shattered bones together. She has made remarkable progress so far. In fact Miss Blackburn improved so much in just a week she has been transferred back to the Royal Bolton Hospital and has had her pelvis brace removed.

But she is still hooked up to a morphine drip, must wear the halo vest for at least 12 weeks and must rest in bed for a month.

Miss Blackburn, a former pupil at Turton High School, said: "I am really upset at losing the baby. I'm in agony, but I'm determined to get better as quickly as possible.

"I'm covered in bruises and I'm black and blue, but I want to do everything I can to help the police get to the bottom of what happened.

"I have bad pins and needles in my left hand, which is my broken arm, but I won't know how badly damaged it is until I have surgery." Her mum, Debbie Blackburn, said: "I would like to say a really big thank you to the emergency services and hospital staff for all the fantastic care they have given Natalie."

Police have launched an inquiry into the incident and are investigating the circumstances.

If you have information, call 0161 856 5050.