TWO adults and two children who were injured when two coaches and a car crashed in North Yorkshire have been released from hospital.

Police said the two coaches, which were carrying about 100 passengers in total, had been taking children and their parents or carers on a trip from the Newcastle area to Flamingo Land theme park and zoo, near Malton.

The accident happened on the A170 at Beadlam, near Pickering, at about 11.25am yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service said two casualties were taken to Scarborough Hospital and a further two were taken to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

She said there was also a number of “walking wounded” who were treated at the scene for cuts and bruises.

Inspector John Wilkinson, of North Yorkshire Police, said the four casualties who were taken to hospital were treated for minor injuries and released yesterday.

The Great North Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Royal Air Force’s Sea King search and rescue helicopter were also called to the scene, but were later stood down.

Insp Wilkinson said the coaches had been travelling in the same direction, towards Pickering, when the front coach came to a standstill.

He said the coach travelling behind was unable to brake in time and went in to the back of the first coach.

He said a car travelling in front of the two coaches was also involved in the incident, although it was not hit.

The A170 was closed between Old Road in Kirkbymoorside and Malton Road in Sinnington until 2.30pm.

Witnesses to the crash are asked to phone Traffic Constable Martin Recchia at North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247.