The man, named as Robert Gilbertson, of Watery Lane, Darwen, suffered serious head injuries and damage to internal organs following the smash, in Haslingden Road, close to the JJB Soccerdome, at just before 10pm yesterday.

Police said the man's injuries were extremely serious and could yet prove fatal. The road was closed for three hours while the police's accident scene investigators examined the scene.

A 23-year-old man, also from the Blackburn area, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and suspicion of being under the influence of drink or drugs.

He is being questioned by police at Greenbank Police Station, Whitebirk.

Police said the arrested man was driving a yellow MG Rover going south along Haslingden Road, out of Blackburn.

Police said he lost control of the vehicle shortly after passing a roundabout.

The car had a minor collision with a green Vauxhall Astra before a more serious collision with a blue Vauxhall Corsa travelling towards Blackburn.

Police said Mr Gilbertson was the passenger in the yellow MG Rover. He was taken to Blackburn Royal infirmary after being cut from the car by firefighters.

Two back seat passengers in the MG suffered minor injuries. A woman, from the Clayton-le-Moors area, who was in the Corsa suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Astra was uninjured.

A police accident investigation is under way.

Inspector Steve Haworth, of Blackburn Police, said: "The MG Rover was driving out of Blackburn and having negotiated a roundabout, close to the JJB Soccerdome has lost control of the vehicle, had a minor collision with the Astra and a serious collision with the Corsa travelling towards Blackburn.

"The passenger in the Rover suffered serious head injuries and some damage to major organs and his parents are with him in hospital."

The driver of the car has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and suspicion of being under the influence of drink or drugs.