A BURNLEY couple were seriously injured in a car crash as they travelled from the airport to their holiday apartment in Turkey.

Eric and Eileen Speakman had just arrived at Antalya Airport and were being driven by a friend to the resort of Side when a motorbike pulled out into the road causing them to swerve.

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The Fiat rolled four times before coming to a stop after crashing into a petrol station price sign.

The great-grandparents, who ran Eileen’s off-licence, in Milton Street, Padiham, for 12 years, both suffered broken ribs.

Eileen, 66, also sustained broken bones in her back, a broken wrist and a punctured lung, which resulted in her needing a life-saving operation.

Speaking from Turkey, their son Michael, 44, who flew out with his sister Cathy Fulton, 47, to be with their parents, said they felt they were lucky to be alive.

Michael said: “Mum and dad are feeling relieved, but still very sore. They are now starting to digest how bad it could have been. They have had a very lucky escape.”

He said he was hoping to be able to bring his parents, who often spend months at a time at their holiday home in Turkey, back to the UK as soon as possible but they must first attend some follow-up appointments.

“My sister and I were in a bit of a tizz but once we realised they were going to be okay, we relaxed a bit. We will be relieved to get them home. The Turkish medical care has been very good, but the aftercare is quite poor. Getting them back to the UK to recuperate will be the right thing to do.”

Clarets fan Eric, who also suffered bleeding into his lung, thanked everybody back home for their messages of goodwill.

He said: “After seeing pictures of the car, we are just happy to still be here.”