THREE people were hurt and frustrated commuters experienced delays and diversions after a three-vehicle crash on the A59 York to Harrogate road.

The accident, which happened near Green Hammerton at 8.35am yesterday, meant that the road was closed in both directions for nearly two hours while police carried out their investigations.

North Yorkshire Police said that motorists had been diverted through Green Hammerton while the A59 was closed.

One commuter told The Press he had arrived late at work in York because of the accident.

A police spokesman said that three people were slightly hurt in the crash. A male and a female were taken to hospital in Harrogate, although they were quickly discharged.

The other casualty, another female, did not need to go to hospital. Police said two ambulances and three fire engines attended the scene of the accident.

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: “One ambulance went to hospital in Harrogate and it is believed the patients had minor injuries.”

The police spokesman said the accident involved a blue VW Sharan, a red Peugeot 406 estate and a black Land Rover Discovery.

It happened when the VW, which had been travelling from York towards Knaresborough, turned right into the B6265 towards Green Hammerton.

The VW was making the manoeuvre when it collided head-on with the Peugeot, which was travelling towards York.

He said the Peugeot then rebounded and struck the Land Rover which had been waiting to come out of the junction.