'I've never seen anything like it' - Burnley man describes 'horrifying' moment car crashed outside his house

As reported earlier, a man was taken to hospital after a short, early-morning police chase ended in a serious crash on Colne Road in Burnley.

At around 3-30am today (Tuesday), officers from Lancashire Constabulary spotted a suspect vehicle in Burnley. Following a short pursuit, the car - a Hyundai - was involved in a collision with street furniture and other parked vehicles on Colne Road at the junction of Casterton Avenue. A man, in his twenties, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital with suspected head and spinal injuries.

Shaf Latif, who runs Pendle Taxis and lives on Colne Road, said he was trying to sleep after returning from work in the early hours of the morning when he heard a loud noise.

"I was just falling asleep when I heard a big bang, just like an explosion," he said. "My wife said: 'look outside' so I jumped out of bed and couldn't believe what I saw. The car was mangled and bits of it in pieces. I was about to contact the emergency services when I stepped outside to help and noticed police and ambulance crews already on the scene.

"When I saw the wreckage of the vehicle, I just couldn't believe it. I've never seen anything like it. The car was destroyed with chunks of debris on the road. A number of other parked vehicles had been badly damaged in the collision too.

"Shortly after, the police closed the road and cordoned off some properties in the area, including mine as they didn't want anyone on the crime scene while their investigations are ongoing. "I haven't been able to go to work today or outside my house today as the road is closed."

Shaf added: "I haven't been able to sleep since 4am as I was in shock and so concerned as to what's happened. I run a taxi company and have drivers on the roads all the time. I hope the man who was injured makes a full recovery."

Police remain on the scene and a major clean-up is under way as debris and damaged cars are removed from the busy road. Motorists are urged to avoid the area and find an alternative route.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call 101.