AN INJURED woman had to be freed from an overturned car by emergency services after a road smash which brought traffic in the busy centre of York to a standstill.
Stunned passers-by looked on in horror as the maroon Cavalier was thrown on to its side after it was involved in a collision with a silver Ford Fiesta at the crossroads junction of Station Road and Station Rise, near the Royal York Hotel.
Emergency crews had to fit a neck brace to the injured woman and push the Cavalier back on to its wheels before she could be rescued.
The woman, who has not been named, was taken to York District Hospital by ambulance suffering only minor injuries.
A First York bus driver who managed to stop his single-decker only yards from the two cars, but witnessed the smash at close quarters was said to be in a state of shock.
Queues rapidly built up in Station Road and Leeman Road, and traffic tailed back across Lendal Bridge after the crash, which took place at about 3.30pm yesterday.
But emergency services moved swiftly and the scene was cleared just after 4pm.
The damaged cars and the bus were recovered from the scene.
The Ford Fiesta driver, who has not been named, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink- driving but gave a negative result when tested at the police station.
At the height of the incident five police vehicles, two fire engines and two ambulances were at the scene as their crews set about rescuing the trapped woman and controlling the disrupted traffic.
The flow of pedestrians heading to and from the nearby railway station came to a halt as passers-by stop to watch the drama unfold.
Motorists are reminded that traffic chaos looks certain to hit York from Monday when Lendal Bridge is closed for six to eight weeks for restoration work. Pedestrians, cycles, buses, taxis and emergency vehicles will still be able to use the bridge.
Picture - The scene after the crash at the junction of Station Avenue and Leeman Road which led to serious traffic congestion in the centre of York
Pictures: Garry Atkinson
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article