SIX teenagers had to undergo hospital treatment after the car they were travelling in was involved in a crash with a police car.

Steven Duncalf had been driving his friends home in his mum's Citroen Saxo after a night out in Northwich when the accident happened on Sunday, January 14 - just three days before his 18th birthday.

It is believed a marked Volvo police car, driven by a male officer, had been responding to an emergency incident when it was in collision with the Saxo at 10.15pm along Chester Road, in Hartford, near the Elf garage.

A full investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the accident, which left a total of eight people with minor injuries, including 18-year-old Peter Jones who was kept in at Leighton Hospital for four days with head and leg injuries.

But Steven's mum, Margaret Duncalf, of Hollywalk, Firdale Park, said it was a miracle everyone survived.

"It was an absolute nightmare and everyone has been so traumatised by what has happened," she said.

"We think the fact that there were four in the back of the car saved their lives - but how they managed to get out without any serious injuries is unbelievable."

Four ambulances were called to the scene and it took almost four hours before the road was cleared and could be reopened to other motorists.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "When there has been a road traffic accident we automatically conduct a full inquiry to examine the circumstances and where the fault lies, and even more so when a police car is involved."