A MAN injured in a crash which killed two of his friends has come off the critical list.

Wasif Ali, 20, was today described as ‘stable’ suffering from a fractured right collar bone, broken rib and severe bruising. He could be discharged in the next 24 hours.

Police are waiting to interview driver Zahid Ali, 18, who sustained minor injuries, once he is out of hospital.

Passengers Kasier Hussain, 16, or Ormerod Street and Sajad Khan, 19, of Richmond Road, died after the red BMW went out of control and became airborne, crashing into a wall and parked car in Marsden Road, Burnley.

All four are childhood friends from Accrington.

Police said the BMW was travelling with a white vehicle which turned off down another road shortly before the accident at 9pm.

Today officers released further details about the smash on Thursday night.

Inspector Martin Bishop revealed that between five and eight minutes before the incident, an oncoming police patrol car had to swerve out of the way.

He said both cars were on the wrong side of the wrong carrying out an over-taking manoeuvre.

The officer pulled over to avoid being hit, flashed his blue lights as a ‘warning’ and turned round to look for the drivers.

Insp Bishop said the patrol car was ‘not in pursuit’, but was driving at ‘normal speed’.

The same patrol car was stopped minutes later by the driver of a silver people carrier, who told the officer that he had seen two cars pass him and one turn down a side road.

Inspector Martin Bishop said it was not believed the cars were racing, but that they were keen to speak to witnesses who may have seen the two cars driving together before the smash.

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

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