TEN fire-fighters fought to free a young couple from their car after it ploughed off a dual-carriageway bridge and fell 20ft down an embankment.
The couple, a 38-year-old businessman, and his 29-year-old wife from Nottingham miraculously escaped with their lives thanks to the sturdiness of their car, according to fire crews.
Police say there was no other vehicle involved in the accident which happened around 3.20pm last Saturday.
The couple's black Mercedes CLK crashed off the northbound A56 Accrington bypass, smashing through metal barriers before landing upright on Northfield Road, in Rising Bridge.
Amazingly, the couple, both escaped without life threatening injuries and were taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment of suspected spinal injuries.
A Lancashire Fire Service spokesman said: "A total of ten fire-fighters from both Accrington and Haslingden crews were on the scene planning how to rescue the couple.
�Because of the design of the car fire-fighters had to pull off the passenger side door instead of cutting through the roof to get the couple out.
"It was a lucky escape. It's a solid car and seems to have coped with the considerable impact of going down an embankment.
"We are relieved that the casualties survived this serious incident. We wish them a speedy recovery."
A police spokesman has described the couple's injuries as not life-threatening or life-changing.
Following the accident police closed northbound section of the A56 Accrington Bypass for approximately three hours while the causalities where taken from the scene and the debris was cleared.
The closure caused heavy congestion around Haslingden, Rising Bridge and Accrington.
Were you the driver or did you see the accident? Call our newsdesk on 0161 2112955
