A TEENAGER was killed and three other men injured after their VW Passat car plunged down a steep embankment near Gisburn on Tuesday night.

Rear seat passenger Thomas Wilkinson, 19, of West End, Long Preston, suffered extensive internal injuries, and was pronounced dead at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

The driver, Christopher Hordern, 19, of Austwick, suffered whiplash injuries, cuts and bruises, and was treated at Burnley General Hospital.

Two other passengers were treated for whiplash injuries. They were Darren Welsh, 21, of Lane End, Giggleswick, who also suffered a fractured arm, and Matthew Wildman, 19, of The Mains, Giggleswick.

The accident happened on the A682 at 10.20pm, and the road was closed for three hours while accident investigators worked at the scene.

PC Jerry Fawbert said: "Their vehicle left the road as they were going round a bend and dropped about 10 feet down a steep embankment through dense woodland and into a stream, during which time the rear passenger sustained fatal injuries.

"The other three managed to get out and pulled him out before the vehicle went up in flames."

Police are appealing for witnesses, and anyone who can help should call 01254 353764.

*Skipton traffic officers were dealing with two serious road accidents on the A59 as the Herald went to press.

One involved a car and motorcycle near the Lancashire boundary, and the other involved a Land Rover and pedal cyclist outside the Bull at Broughton.

The crashes occurred within 15 minutes of each other, shortly before 3pm.

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