Tributes were paid today after a 47-year-old lorry driver died in a pile-up involving two lorries and a car.

Trevor Smith, of Oxenhope, who worked for Manson Timber, suffered multiple injuries and had to be cut out of the wreckage by fire crews.

It was the second fatal accident in eight months on the road at Osbaldeston, East Lancashire.

Police said the car driver from Bolton, came out of a junction where it was hit by an articulated lorry being driven by a Haslingden man. The car spun out of control, hit a stone wall and rebounded back into the road. The lorry then went into the path of Mr Smith's lorry. Both vehicles ended up on their sides.

The other drivers were comfortable in Blackburn Royal Infirmary today.

Assistant Divisional officer Dave Allan of Blackburn fire service said: "We have not seen anything like this accident for a long time. It was one of the worst I have attended."

Maria Harrison, who lives near the crash scene, said: "I heard a bang and went out I have never seen anything like it."

Mrs Harrison, of the Bay Horse Inn, added: "There is a primary school 100 yards away. I was just about to take my youngster to playgroup and I was running a few minutes late, which I just thank God for."

Mr Smith, who worked for Earby-based Manson Timber, was married with an 11 year-old daughter.

Paul Robinson, manager at Manson Timber, said: "People here are very distressed about Trevor's death and our feelings go out to his family.

"It is very difficult to come to terms with what has happened. Trevor went off in the morning and you naturally expect him back.

"He was an excellent, hard-working driver, very helpful and friendly and was very much liked by his colleagues and customers."

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