FIVE people were taken to York Hospital after a head-on collision at a notorious North Yorkshire accident blackspot.

Two children were among those injured in the accident, which happened at about 2.40pm yesterday on the A64 at Golden Hill, near Huttons Ambo.

Alan Lambert, 71, from Shipley, Leeds, was driving a blue Peugeot from Malton to York, when he was in collision with a red Citroen.

The occupants of the Citroen were John Leach and Jackie Butler, both 40, and two children, Jack and Isobel Leach, both aged six. They are also from the Leeds area.

North Yorkshire firefighters freed a man, a woman and a child using hydraulic cutting equipment.

Isobel Leach suffered pains in her stomach, hip and left arm, while the six-year-old boy was said to have "severe" abdominal pain.

Jackie Butler was airlifted to hospital with injuries to her chest, arm and right side.

John Leach suffered stomach injuries and chest pains.

Alan Lambert had injuries to his right leg and chest.

Mr Lambert and John Leach were both comortable in hospital today. Jack and Isobel Leach were stable. Jackie Butler has been discharged. Three North Yorkshire ambulances attended the scene, as well as the North Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and a West Yorkshire ambulance which was passing and stopped to give assistance.

Police closed the road in both directions for nearly four hours while they investigated the scene, bringing Bank Holiday traffic to a standstill along the westbound A64 carriageway.

Diverted eastbound traffic inched through Welburn for much of the afternoon and early evening. Cars were also diverted through Huttons Ambo.

Golden Hill has been called the worst accident blackspot on the trunk road, prompting calls for it to be converted to dual carriageway to improve safety.

Updated: 10:37 Tuesday, June 01, 2004