A 56-YEAR-OLD man was rescued by firefighters after his car flipped onto its roof following a three-vehicle smash on a York road.

The accident happened just after 3.30pm yesterday on the B1363 between Wigginton and Clifton Moor.

Fire crews worked for almost an hour to free the trapped driver of a dark green Vauxhall Cavalier, who was then taken by ambulance to York District Hospital.

A fire service spokeswoman said: "The man who was trapped in his car was believed to be a diabetic. He was given glucose by paramedics at the scene after he lost consciousness."

The drivers of the two other vehicles involved - a blue Daihatsu and a white Mercedes Sprinter van - were reported to be uninjured.

The road was closed in both directions as emergency services and crash investigation officers examined the scene.

PC Emma Sculthorp said: "It seems the green car overturned after it collided with the Daihatsu, while the white van swerved to avoid crashing into them both."

There were traffic tailbacks stretching for half a mile as cars waited for the police to reopen the road.

Meanwhile, at 5.30pm, paramedics were called to an accident involving four vehicles between Strensall and West Lilling. Nobody was reported to have been injured in the incident.

Updated: 10:52 Wednesday, January 19, 2005