TWO children and two adults have been taken to hospital after a crash on the A59 today involving five vehicles.

The accident happened near Green Hammerton at about 1.30pm and involved two mini-buses, a Ford Galaxy and a lorry, all heading towards York, and a Volkswagen Scirocco heading the other way.

Police say the Galaxy stopped to make a right turn into the Old Granary. They say the two mini-buses stopped behind it but the lorry then hit the rear bus, which in turn hit the one in front.

The Galaxy was not hit but the Scirocco was hit by debris, say police.

The air ambulance was initially called but was stood down when the accident turned out to be less serious than first feared, said a Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman.

She said the injuries were minor and one adult had chest and neck injuries that were not very serious. The two adults were the two mini-bus drivers. She said all the patients had been taken to Harrogate District Hospital as a precaution.

The road remained closed until 3.25pm.

Any witnesses are asked to phone police on 101, quoting reference NYP-10032013-0250.