A WOMAN died in a head-on smash between a car and a lorry on York's outer ring road today.

Two other people escaped injury but suffered shock after the accident, which happened at about 10.15am on the A1237 between the roundabouts leading to the Haxby and Wigginton roads.

The crash ended with the car trapped beneath the front end of the lorry, according to North Yorkshire police.

A third vehicle, a maroon Ford Focus, was involved in the crash, said police; but its driver was not hurt.

Early reports from Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service suggested that the dead woman was aged in her 20s.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed the casualty was certified dead at the scene.

Sergeant Graham Carroll, of York police, told the Evening Press: "The collision has occurred between a blue Renault Clio and a white goods vehicle.

"A third vehicle, a Ford Focus, was involved, but the driver was not hurt.

"The passenger in the blue car was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to York Hospital with serious injuries. They were both female and not from the York area."

Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said two people travelling in the lorry were not seriously hurt, but were suffering from shock.

An ambulance service spokeswoman said two of the people involved in the crash were "walking wounded" and had been taken to York Hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Two ambulances and a paramedic on a motorbike attended the crash.

Three fire engines, from Acomb, York and Tadcaster, were sent to the scene, as was an incident support unit from Acomb and a fire tender from Tadcaster.

One of the victims had to be released from the Renault Clio by firefighters before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police diversions were put in place through Haxby and a section of the A1237 was expected to be closed for several hours.

Updated: 16:05 Monday, January 13, 2003