A YOUNG driver is to be questioned by police over an accident after officers revealed they believe speed was a factor.

The 20-year-old was taken to hospital suffering from face and head injuries after his Vauxhall Corsa crashed into a parked van near the Hyndburn Bridge Hotel, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, on Sunday night.

Police said he lost control of the car near a bend and they are now waiting to speak tot he driver when he is well enough.

Sgt Pete Sculpher said that the crash is being investigated and said that speed is thought to have been a contributing factor to the cause of the smash.

Witness Raymond Roocroft, 19, of Riverside, Clitheroe, who was driving along the road at the time, said the incident was "terrifying".

He said: "The accident could have been so much worse had the driver not crashed into a stationery vehicle.

"Seeing the crash really shook me up."

Mr Roocroft said that he was driving towards Whalley through Clayton at around 7pm on Sunday.

He said: "The surface was slippery because of the rain. I spotted the Corsa behind me as I was coming down the hill to the pub."

He said that seconds later the Vauxhall Corsa slid into a parked Ford Transit van.

Mr Roocroft said: "The van flew several metres back, demolishing the front end of the vehicle and slamming into a wall of a house."

He jumped out to help, along with another passing motorist who, by coincidence was a medic.

He added: "The car was not in a pretty state, with the driver's side door completely caved in and the engine bay torn apart. The driver was unconscious.

"All I could think of was what if he had hit a car coming in the other direction. The consequences could have been horrific."