TWO drivers were lucky to escape unhurt after a crash in rush hour traffic.

The accident happened on Lawrence Street, in York, when a silver Citroen Saxo, emerging from a Reg Vardy dealership near Walmgate Bar, was in collision with a red Vauxhall Nova, at about 4.40pm yesterday.

The Vauxhall, which was travelling along Lawrence Street towards the Bar, in the outside lane, flew into the air and landed on its roof after colliding with the Citroen.

Passers-by, and workers from a nearby building site, helped to free the Vauxhall driver, and staff and patrons of the Waggon and Horses pub tended to him.

An ambulance, police vehicles and York's Life Cycle paramedic, Mark Inman, arrived at the scene to help within minutes. Both drivers were treated for minor injuries, and the Vauxhall driver was later taken to hospital, suffering from shock and a suspected arm injury.

Witness Jan Oldfield said the incident was "shocking".

"There was an awful crunching sound, and the car flew into the air. It hit the ground with a terrible crash. It's amazing that both of them could walk away from it."

Mr Inman said: "Any incident in which a car ends up on its roof is obviously extremely dangerous. It is lucky that the driver was able to leave the scene with what appeared to be minor injuries."

Updated: 09:05 Wednesday, April 24, 2002