POLICE confirmed two more deaths on East Lancashire’s roads, bringing the total to three in one tragic day.

The three separate crashes took place within five hours.

Emergency services were called at around 10.40am on Thursday to a crash involving a Mini and Audi Q3 on Elton Road in Belthorn.

The driver of the Mini, 22-year-old Megan Byrne, from Blackburn, died at the scene.

Just three hours later a woman in her 70s suffered fatal injuries in another crash on the A59 near Whalley.

And family paid tribute to a 41-year-old mother-of-four who died in a crash at 8.50am in Bacup.

Celia Lynch, 41, from Bacup, was pronounced dead at the scene after her car crashed into the wall of the Swan Indian restaurant on Market Street in the town.

In tribute, Celia’s family said: “Celia was a loving wife, sister, grandmother and mother to four wonderful children.

“She had a kind, warm and funny personality and always had time for others.

“All her family are devastated by this tragic loss and will miss her greatly.”

Police are now appealing for witnesses to help them in their investigations.

Emergency services were called to the collision in Market Street, close to the junction with Rockliffe Road.

Celia’s red Vauxhall Crossland X collided with the wall of the former pub, police said.

Sgt Steve Hardman, of Lancashire Police’s Tactical Operations, said: “These are tragic circumstances and my thoughts are with Celia’s family and friends at this sad and very difficult time.

“We are appealing for witnesses and would urge anyone who has seen what happened and yet to speak to police to come forward. We want to understand the exact circumstances around the collision.”

Anyone who can help police with their enquiries can call 101 or email 2385@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log 0288 of February 20.

Megan’s mum and dad, Joanne and John, said: “On Thursday sadly our beautiful daughter Megan Louise Byrne was taken away.

“She will be remembered firstly as a loving and loyal beautiful woman with an exciting, wonderful life ahead of her such as her teaching career which she loved and was so dedicated to, and meeting the love of her life, Martyn, with whom she was at her happiest.

“Megan lit up the room and blessed so many with her light without knowing it.

“She was loved by everyone she came into contact with.

"Our lives will never be the same again, as a shining star she leaves the earth and brightens up the heavens.

“Enjoy your birthday with grandma, night night our perfect precious princess, rest in peace. With love, mum, dad, Josh, Sandra, Mike, Martyn, Beth, grandma, grandad, aunties, uncles, cousins and all of your friends.

Her brother Joshua added: “As your little brother, you were a huge influence and a massive role model for me. You were my polar opposite but you taught me so much.

“You gave me confidence with your bold personality and always made sure there was a fire burning in my heart.

“You were the best big sister anybody could ask for and it really is a shame, I only properly appreciate it now.

"I know you’re looking down on us wishing we could all be okay, but you made an impact everywhere you went.

“Life is going to be very different from now on, but it’s important that you are remembered although you will definitely never be forgotten.

"Rest in peace Megan, I loved you so much, Josh.”

The driver of the Audi, a 31-year-old woman from Blackburn, suffered minor injuries.

Officers are asking any witnesses to come forward. Sgt Hardman said: “Firstly, my thoughts remain with Megan’s family at this incredibly distressing time.

“We need anyone who saw the vehicles in the time leading up to the incident, or the collision, to come forward.”

Anyone who can help police with their enquiries can call 101 or email 2385@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log 0420 of February 20.

The A59 crash involved a Citroen C3 and a Volvo HGV at around 1.45pm on Thursday between the Petre roundabout, Langho, and Bramley Mead roundabout, Whalley.

The driver of the Citroen C3 was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger, also a woman in her 70s, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital with serious injuries.

Police are appealing for any witnesses. Call 101 quoting log number 0727 of February 20.