Championship footballer, 18, in hospital with serious injuries after …

Preston North End forward Finlay Cross-Adair is in a serious condition in hospital after being involved in a car crash on Thursday.

Cross-Adair was travelling in a Seat Ibiza which collided head on with a Mercedes Sprinter van on the A6 near Lancaster at 5.10pm. The 18-year-old is a lifelong Preston fan and is currently on loan with Scottish side Annan Athletic.

Preston said in a statement: “Preston North End can confirm that young professional Finlay Cross-Adair was involved in a road traffic accident on the A6 on the evening of Thursday 5th October.

“Finlay suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident and is currently recovering in hospital. The football club will show full support for Finlay and his family during his recovery. We will be making no further comment until it is appropriate to do so.”

Cross-Adair came through the academy ranks at Preston and signed his first professional deal in December 2022 after helping the youth team win a league and cup double in 2021/22. He has so far made six appearances for the first team and has one goal and one assist in seven games for Annan this season.

Finlay Cross-Adair has made six appearances for Preston ( Alex Dodd/Getty Images)

Sgt Phil Baxendale, from Lancashire Police’s road policing unit, said: “This collision has left a young man with some very serious injuries and my thoughts are with him at this time.

“We are now working to establish exactly what caused the collision and I would ask anyone with information or dashcam footage which would assist our enquiries to contact us as soon as possible.”

A fire[1] service spokesperson told the Lancashire Post: “Garstang (fire service) along with Lancaster attended a road traffic collision involving a car and a van on the A6 in bay horse. One casualty was reported trapped. Firefighters were in attendance for approximately two hours.

"The casualty was given first aid by firefighters and was extricated and handed over to North West Ambulance Service.

"Holmatro cutting equipment and scene lighting was used to assist in rescue operations. Crews returned to station replenished and cleaned kit and were made available for further calls. Please take care when driving in these rainy wet conditions.”

References

  1. ^ fire (www.mirror.co.uk)