A MAN is in a serious condition after crashing his van head-on into a tree.

Firefighters had to cut the driver free from his Peugeot Partner van after responding to reports of a smash on Blackburn Old Road in Hoghton.

Paramedics, police officers and fire and rescue crews all worked to free the man before he was rushed to the Royal Preston Hospital with serious injuries including head trauma.

A police spokesperson said: "The driver, a 33-year-old man from Preston, suffered chest and internal injuries, as well as a suspected leg fracture."

A spokesman from Blackburn Fire Station said: “White Watch have just attended a road accident on Blackburn Old Road at Hoghton.

“One male was confined in vehicle which had hit a tree, crews assisted paramedics to release casualty and made scene safe. 

"Driver conveyed to hospital."

The ambulance service confirmed they sent one ambulance and a rapid response vehicle to the scene.

They said: "We were called at around 8.15am. 

"One patient, a male, was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital was serious injuries including head injuries."

Police are now urging people to stay alert after it emerged a dog ran from the vehicle following the crash.

The dog, which has been described as a Rottweiler, ran from the Peugeot and has yet to be found.

Police officers put a partial road closure in place while the incident was dealt with.

A clean-up operation also took place before the road was re-opened at around lunchtime.

An investigation is now underway and enquiries are on-going.

Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 101 or email 555@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log 0241 of May 27.