A WOMAN is believed to have broken both her legs in a head-on crash involving a car and a lorry which brought rush hour chaos to Horwich last night.

Helen Wright had to be released from the Vauxhall Corsa by firefighters using cutting equipment after the accident in Crown Lane at 4.10pm.

The car driver, Paul Abbott, aged 24, from Horwich, suffered chest injuries and is believed to have dragged himself from the car before rescuers arrived.

Front seat passenger Anthony Abbott, aged 22, also from Horwich, suffered minor injuries and was also able to free himself from the wreckage.

Neil Hallam, aged 35, from Westhoughton, the driver of the lorry which belonged to Horwich transport contractor Dickinsons, escaped unhurt.

Firefighters battled for up to 30 minutes to release the injured woman, who was trapped on the car floor and wedged between the front and back seats after being thrown about during the impact of the collision.

The car was embedded in the front of the lorry and fire crews had to cut off the roof of the Corsa while paramedics administered painkillers to the woman.

All three people from the car were admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital. The injured woman was detained overnight.

Considerable tailbacks built up in Horwich after the collision as Crown Lane had to be closed so accident investigators could inspect the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are especially keen for information on a white car seen travelling along Crown Lane just before the collision. Anyone with information is urged to contact the traffic police on 0161-856-5972.