A 21-YEAR-OLD minibus driver who miraculously survived a horrendous crash at a North Yorkshire beauty spot is a University of York charity worker, it emerged today.

Helen Grieve, 21, a former university student, was at the wheel of a maroon minibus when it plunged 200ft down a ravine at the Hole of Horcum, near Pickering.

The sabbatical officer escaped with minor injuries despite being trapped in the vehicle for more than two hours after the accident.

Helen was driving the minibus to a student-organised camp at Staithes, near Whitby, for disadvantaged children from North Yorkshire.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident which occurred on the A169 between Pickering and Whitby at Saltersgate Bank on Friday afternoon.

Helen, who comes from Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, was elected to the role of York Student Community Action officer only last month.

The university's Community Action Group attracted controversy earlier this year when volunteers were told that non-students would no longer be allowed to participate in holiday camps.

Objectors argued that the exclusion meant vital organisation experience and knowledge was being thrown out.

Former volunteer Gareth Beevers, of Morley, near Leeds, said today that he feared an accident such as this could happen because of the resultant loss of experienced drivers.

Safety issues were raised with the former community action officer, Tory Nelson-Parker, he said, after a general meeting was held to vote through the changes.

He said: "In the past, we had experienced drivers that had done these camps year after year and they knew what was what.

"Every effort should be made to make sure that the participants and organisers are safe.

"This is exactly the sort of accident that we thought might happen."

Student Union president Tom Connor said that the safety of volunteers and participants on the camp was "absolutely paramount".

Helen, a trained minibus driver, was ferrying supplies from York to the campsite.

The two-week camp, which was due to start on Sunday, has now been cancelled. The children, aged between 12 and 16, had not yet arrived on site.

Tom said: "This is obviously a terrible accident and the most important thing is that Helen survived. This is the first accident of any kind that has taken place on a camp.

"I just hope the accident does not spoil the future running of the events which benefit many children from across North Yorkshire."

Hilary Layton, University spokeswoman, said: "The university is very pleased that Helen is OK.

"We would like to learn more about the incident, and we will be talking to the students' union because we are concerned about the safety of our students."

Updated: 14:45 Monday, August 12, 2002