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Biker (36) airlifted to hospital after Earby smash
A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital after a head-on collision with a car in Earby on Friday.
The 36-year-old man, from Blackburn, was travelling down Skipton Road on Wysick Hill when the crash occurred close to the Punch Bowl pub just before 1 p.m.
He was riding a Honda CVR which collided with a silver Vauxhall Amiga estate belonging to an elderly couple from Oldham, who were travelling towards Thornton-in-Craven.
The motorcyclist was taken in a Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter to Blackburn Royal Hospital where he was treated for a fractured right arm and hip and minor injuries.
The driver of the car suffered friction burns from the airbag, while his wife was badly shaken. They were both taken by ambulance to Airedale Hospital and were released a short time later.
The road between the Punch Bowl and the crossroads at Thornton-in-
Craven was closed in both directions for more than three hours as drivers were redirected via Salterforth, Barnoldswick and Thornton.
The collision happened near the bottom of the hill where the speed limit changes from 60 to 30 m.p.h. as the road enters Earby, but he had not reached the 30 m.p.h. section.
Police across East Lancashire have embarked on a two-week campaign with extra patrols to cut the number of motorcyclists killed or hurt in accidents. Sgt Gareth Hill, of the Road Policing unit in Colne, said: "It's been a particular problem with the good weather we've been having. People just want to get out and cut loose on their bikes."
Other roads of particular concern in the area are the A682, which runs from Nelson to Long Preston, and the A646 from Burnley to Todmorden.
Coun. Chris Tennant said: "Skipton Road is actually a lot better than it used to be. It was widened, which improved it a lot, but I'm surprised to hear of a bad accident like this as there's plenty of room.
"I'm not sure what has happened here but the main thing is everyone involved is going to be all right."
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Weather for Pendle
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
