Man killed and two seriously injured in Lancashire bridge collapse

A man has died and two people have been seriously injured in Lancashire after a vehicle and a trailer fell into a river when a bridge collapsed.

Eleven people were thrown from a Polaris Ranger and its trailer when a crossing on a farm in the Moor Lane area of Roeburndale gave way at about 4.25pm on Tuesday, Lancashire police said.

The force confirmed that the people in the vehicles were from a shooting party who were travelling on private land.

One man died and two were seriously injured. One sustained a serious head injury and was taken to Royal Preston hospital, and the other was being treated for a back injury.

Eight others were injured and taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Health and Safety Executive officials and detectives from Lancashire police were investigating the incident on Wednesday.

DI Kirsty Wyatt said: “My thoughts are very much with all those involved in what is a very sad and tragic incident. One man has sadly died and a number of people have suffered serious injuries.

“At this time we believe the vehicle was pulling the trailer, containing a number of people, when a bridge gave way. Those people were then thrown from the vehicle and trailer. Our investigation is at its very early stages and inquiries are ongoing to establish what happened.”

Ambulance, fire and mountain rescue crews were called to the scene. Police said road closures were in place and were expected to continue for some time.