An investigation was under way today into a road crash near Selby in which four firefighters and a car driver suffered whiplash injuries.

The fire engine was responding to an emergency call and was negotiating red traffic lights at Brayton crossroads when the accident happened.

As the tender turned right from Brayton Lane on to the A19 towards Eggborough with its blue light flashing and siren blaring, there was a collision with a grey Rover 820si saloon.

The 12-tonne Volvo appliance is undergoing repairs and is expected to be back in service by the weekend - but the car is thought to be a write-off.

The four crew members from Selby fire station were responding to reports of a burning smell at Greenacres nursing home at Eggborough just before 11am on Sunday.

All four suffered whiplash injuries and attended Selby War Memorial Hospital. The woman driver - believed to be from the Doncaster area - also sustained a whiplash injury.

The fire engine crew was stood down for two days pending further medical check-ups, and are now all back at work.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Terry Glover said they had launched an internal investigation into the accident, and they would cooperate fully with any external investigation.

Selby police spokesman PC John Wardell confirmed that officers were making inquiries into the crash.