A TEENAGER who was travelling in the boot of a car is still very poorly in hospital after being involved in an horrific crash in Accrington last Friday night.

Lee Bennison, 16, of Riverside View, Clayton-le-Moors, was with five other passengers in the white Vauxhall Astra when it crashed into a brick wall and gate post near the Crown pub, on Whalley Road, at about 10pm.

PC Simon Bolton, officer in charge of the incident, said that the teenager was thrown about inside the boot and suffered serious head injuries.

He was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where he remained in a critical condition until Wednesday when a hospital spokesman said he had "slightly improved".

The driver of the vehicle, a 19-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving after providing a positive roadside breath test.

He was later released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Another passenger, a 16-year-old girl who was sitting in the front of the car, was said to have been knocked unconscious as a result of the accident.

PC Bolton said: "The road had to be closed off for more than two hours, it was carnage. The rest of the passengers were like the walking wounded after suffering minor bumps."

As the Observer went to press, Mr Bennison was said to be "still poorly but slightly improved."

His family were not available for comment.