Fifteen people were injured today when a minibus and four cars collided on the A59 outside York.

It is believed the minibus was carrying a party of elderly people when the crash happened.

The road at the scene of the crash - close to the Skip Bridge garage, 300 yards west of the turn-off to Hessay - was blocked in both directions.

There were long tailbacks this afternoon.

One of the injured had severe chest injuries.

Nine of the casualties were taken to York District Hospital. They had the most serious injuries.

Among the injured were two women pensioners aged 82 and 78 who suffered cuts and bruises to their faces.

One person had a spinal injury and another had chest injuries.

Some of the casualties had sustained fractures.

Six of the less seriously hurt were taken to Harrogate District Hospital suffering from shock.

The driver and passenger in a green Vauxhall Frontiera in the crash, Robert and Helen Harris, of County Durham, said they were on a 10th wedding anniversary trip to York when the accident happened.

"We are shaken and stiff, but otherwise uninjured," said Robert.

"It's not the best start to our anniversary."

The wreckage of their car along with that of a blue Ford Fiesta was beside the road as police spoke to shaken drivers at the scene.

Three fire engines - from Acomb, Tadcaster and York - were called out but no one was trapped.

Six ambulances - from York, Haxby and Harrogate - were dispatched.

A spokeswoman for the owners of the minibus, Humbles, of County Durham, said the party was a study group of elderly people out for the day.

The 16-seater coach was under a year old.

The spokeswoman was too upset to give any further details but confirmed that the driver was a full-time member of staff.

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