THREE teenagers escaped death after a car they were travelling in was left suspended in a tree at the side of the M65 after its driver lost control.

The Subaru Impreza Wagon was engulfed by flames when firefighters arrived at the scene near the slip road at junction 13, Nelson..

The fire service said the two passengers, thought to be in their late teens, climbed out of the car and made their way to Burnley General Hospital, where they were treated for cuts and bruises.

It is believed the driver went to Nelson Police Station, where he was met by officers and paramedics.

The car was being driven towards Colne when it is believed it hit the crash barrier on the hard shoulder.

The car then knocked down a lamp post and a sign, before smashing into branches of trees ten feet up on the sloped banking, and coming to a standstill a metre off the ground.

The car then became engulfed in flames Watch manager Gary Ibbitson, from Nelson Fire Service, said: ““It’s miraculous they escaped with their lives.

“We’ve seen fatalities from far less severe damage.”

A police officer travelling the opposite way down the motorway spotted the incident and alerted emergency services to the accident which happened at 11pm last night.