POLICE are investigating a bizarre chain of events in which they believe a man drove a stolen car into a house and then stabbed another man in the neck.

Sergeant Mark Haworth-Oates, of Blackburn CID, said that around 3am yesterday, a Peugeot 306 – stolen from the Heys Lane area of Lower Darwen – crashed into the front door of a house in Coleridge Street, Bank Top.

The impact caused extensive damage to the car and some damage to the stonework of the terrace house.

Then, at 4.30am, police were called to reports of a man in his 20s being stabbed in the neck in a rear alley – also in Coleridge Street.

Police response officers gave the man first aid for a knife wound and a kitchen knife was recovered by police.

Sgt Haworth-Oates said: “We believe the two incidents are linked.

“At the moment we have one man in his 20s arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and aggravated taking of a vehicle.

“The victim of the wounding is also a male in his 20s and he was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with what appeared to be a serious injury to his neck.

“However, he’s now had treatment and been discharged.

“The nature of this assault means this lad is very fortunate not to sustain very serious or even life-threatening injuries.

“We are keen to speak to anyone with information relating to either incident or who may have witnessed the events.”

Contact police on 0845 1 253545 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.