AN 80-year-old woman had to be cut free from the wreckage of her Nissan Micra after it was involved in a crash with a lorry and another car on the outskirts of York today.

Police said the pensioner's car veered on to the wrong side of the A1237 as it was travelling towards the A64 just after 9.30am.

They said details of the accident were as yet unclear, but the woman's car had collided with a heavy goods vehicle travelling in the opposite direction before crashing into a blue Mazda which had been following the Micra.

Both the Micra and the lorry ended up on the A64-bound side of the road.

Firefighters from Tadcaster and York had to cut the woman out of her car, and she was later taken to York Hospital. Her condition was not known at the time of going to press.

The drivers of the HGV and the Mazda were both uninjured.

Sgt Graham Carroll, from York Police, said: "The red car for some reason has crossed into the path of the goods vehicle. We do not know as yet what exactly has happened, or the extent of her injuries."

Any witnesses should phone York police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:34 Wednesday, May 28, 2003