A COUPLE taking a £40,000 sports car on a test drive were seriously hurt in a head-on collision just ten minutes after leaving the showroom.

Lyn Conder, in her early 40s and from Acaster Malbis, near York, was critically injured in the accident on the A658 near Knaresborough.

Her husband Simon was seriously hurt in the crash.

Mr Conder was driving the orange TVR Tuscan, which was on a weekend test drive from Horseless Carriages in Harrogate, towards the A1.

It lost control and started spinning down the road close to the Goldsborough roundabout, a North Yorkshire Police spokesman said.

The rear end of the car crashed into the front of a Peugeot 306 which was being driven in the opposite direction.

A Vauxhall Cavalier and a Vauxhall Corsa were also hit by the TVR as it continued to travel along the road.

Mrs Conder was today in a critical condition at Leeds General Infirmary after being airlifted to the hospital suffering from back, neck and pelvic injuries.

Her husband is expected to be detained in Harrogate District Hospital for a week after suffering head and facial injuries.

According to a police spokesman, Mr Conder's sister is looking after the couple's two daughters, who are aged 15 and 11.

The driver of the Peugeot, Lorraine Marsden, 18, from Leeds, suffered cuts and bruises and her sister Pauline, 20, who was in the passenger seat, suffered a broken arm, broken foot and a broken bone in her face.

Both women had to be released from the vehicle and were taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance.

The occupants of the other two cars were either uninjured or suffered minor seatbelt injuries.

The road was closed for six-and-a-half hours while police investigators examined the scene and the car wreckage was cleared.

Traffic Constable Ian Crozier of Harrogate Police said: "The TVR went out of control on its own and it was spinning up the road and hit an oncoming car, a Peugeot 306.

"Although it was the rear end of the car that hit the Peugeot it was a head-on collision - head to rear if you like.

"The rear end of the car is missing, it's not there any more, but the car was made of fibreglass.

"We have been taking witness statements but if anybody saw the collision or could give any evidence to the manner of driving of any of the vehicles involved then we would like to hear from them."

Nigel Kemp, managing director of Horseless Carriages, Skipton Road, Harrogate, said it was very unusual for an accident to happen during a test drive.

He said: "It's very unfortunate and we are very worried about the gentleman and his wife."

Witnesses to the accident should call TC Crozier on 01609 783131.

Updated: 08:58 Monday, March 25, 2002