AT least four people had a miraculous escape after an horrendous accident involving a heavy goods vehicle and two cars on a major road near York.

The accident happened at 4pm yesterday, on the A19 just south of Tollerton.

Two cars and a tanker were involved in the smash, which left wreckage strewn across the road, which was closed for hours.

Four ambulances and fire engines from Acomb, Easingwold, Harrogate and Ripon all attended the scene.

Firefighters had to cut a man and a woman free from separate vehicles.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire And Rescue Service said one firefighter had told him it was "a miracle" that the motorists had all survived.

He said the trapped woman was taken to York Hospital suffering leg and back injuries while the man who was trapped suffered back and chest injuries. Another two people were taken to hospital, one with minor injuries.

A police spokesman said none of the motorists' conditions were life-threatening.

Although the cars involved were left crushed by the force of the impact, the tanker, which was carrying fertiliser, escaped with relatively minor damage and the tank carrying the fertiliser did not rupture.

Firefighters finally left the scene at 5.55pm after providing lighting for the emergency services, although there "active" involvement in the aftermath of the crash finished at 4.51pm.

Following the accident, commuters were left stuck in tailbacks as the road was closed for the debris to be cleared and crash investigators to examine the scene. Diversions were in place at Tollerton and Shipton for cars and smaller vehicles and at Thirsk and York for heavy goods vehicles. The road finally reopened at 10pm.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247.