A WOMAN who was cut from a car after a crash on the East Lancs is frantically searching for her dog after it ran away following the collision.

On Wednesday, the Star reported when a Nissan Micra was involved in the collision with a HGV at Haydock Island at around 1.30pm.

Fire crews used hydraulic cutting gear to remove a door from the car to enable the safe rescue of 31-year-old driver Laura Hector, who also had three dogs in the vehicle.

Her female dog Phoenix, a mixed breed which looks like a Collie Cross, bolted from the scene. 

Laura, who was released from hospital after a couple of hours, says she is desperate to be reunited with Phoenix.

"People keep telling me how lucky I am but I'll feel lucky when phoenix is home," said Laura, 31.

"With the weather like it has been the last couple of days, it's not nice to be out in. 

"She bolted for it, she's running scared."

Laura's other two dogs remained in the vehicle following the crash and are unharmed. 

A 49-year-old man was assessed by paramedics following the incident but did not require hospital treatment.

"Phoenix was seen running up and down the M6 for a while and there was a further sighting on the other side of the junction at 4.30pm," added Laura.

"There was another dog in the area that was hit by a car, a collie with a brown colour who has been identified and taken to the vet. 

"I'm trying to spread the word about Phoenix and to get people not to approach her but to call me when they see her."

However, following the appeal, Laura confirmed the dog was found on Saturday morning after a 'flurry of sightings'.

She added: "The power of Facebook is a wonderful thing in cases like this."

See doglost.co.uk/dog-blog.php?dogId=110007#.WHipn7KLTct for more.