A FATHER and his three-year-old son have died after their car was involved in a head-on collision.

The boy's 12-year-old sister suffered internal injuries and is serious but stable in hospital.

Mark Humphries, aged 40, of Quebec Street, Deane, was killed instantly in the three car crash in Euxton near Chorley.

Three-year-old Kieran Rice suffered serious head and internal injuries in the crash.

He died yesterday afternoon in the intensive care unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury with his mother Paula by his side.

His sister Rachel was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital and was being transferred to the Royal Bolton Hospital after undergoing an operation to remove her spleen.

The accident happened when a Ford Focus being driven by an 18-year-old went out of control and veered on to the wrong side of the road near to the Euxton Mill pub. It crashed head on into a Ford Escort being driven by Mr Humphries.

The Focus then crashed into a Mercedes Benz, being driven by Brian Alcock, of Bolton Road, Farnworth. Mr Alcock and his wife suffered slight injuries and shock.

Both children were passengers in the back seat of the car. Fire crews from Chorley battled to free Mr Humphries and the youngsters from the wreckage.

Sub-officer Steve Hart, of Chorley Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The children were trapped in the back of the car and the driver was trapped in the front. He had suffered serious chest injuries.

"We took the car's front seat out and he was being treated at the side of the road, but was unfortunately pronounced dead about 10 minutes later. The off-duty nurse, paramedics and an off-duty doctor who were driving past at the time worked tremendously hard."

He said the nurse, with the help of three Chorley ambulance crews, resusitated Kieron in the back seat of the car.

The road was closed for five hours while accident investigators examined the scene.

Traffic police are appealing for any witnesses to the accident to come forward.

Insp Gradwell said: "We would like to hear from anyone who saw the crash or the Ford Focus leading up to the crash."

An 18-year-old man from Euxton was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving and is being interviewed by detectives.

Witnesses to the crash should call Chorley police on 01257 269021.