THE people in this wrecked Renault Clio miraculously escaped without serious injuries when it was involved in a double accident on the A1 in North Yorkshire last night.

They managed to get out after it was struck for the first time by an Audi and before it was struck for a second time by a BMW.

North Yorkshire Police traffic officer Paul Cording tweeted this picture, saying: "Miraculously no serious injuries from A1M RTC last night. Wonder why we say get out of your car to place of safety?

"The initial RTC left this car stranded in lane 3 of the motorway. Fortunately the occupants got out before it was hit by another car."

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said the accident happened on the northbound carriageway between Baldersby and Leeming at about 6pm.

An Audi collided with the rear of the Clio, which rolled and then came to rest in the middle of a lane. Its occupants then got out before a BMW collided with their car, before eventually coming to rest 100 metres further along the road.

Firefighters freed one of the vehicles' occupants, who was trapped in the wreckage, and administered first aid to all the casualties.

The crash caused long tailbacks, but police said they finally got motorists on their way by mid-evening and thanked them for their patience.