A CRANE driver escaped unscathed today after his 30-metre-high vehicle toppled over and crashed on to land at York Racecourse.

The driver was left shaken but unhurt after the crane and cab, which was preparing to set up a roller-coaster for the Thunder Theme Park, at Knavesmire, fell on its side at about 11am.

Health and safety officers were immediately called to the scene and fenced off the accident area. Fair organiser Steven Graham said he believed the crane had sunk into the ground and this had caused it to fall on its side.

He insisted that the theme park, which runs from Friday until June 9, would be unaffected by the crash.

He added that he was waiting for advice from health and safety officers about plans to remove the crane and bring a new crane in to construct the roller-coaster.

At City of York Council, a spokesman said: "A health and safety team is on the site.

"There is no suggestion that this is anything more than a one-off.

"Clearly, if there is a risk, we wouldn't be operating the fair."

A witness who saw the crane topple said: "There was an almighty crash. One minute it was there, the next it was gone."

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: "We are aware of the incident. Officers are on site and are carrying out a thorough investigation."

Mr Graham said: "Health and safety officers were called straight away.

"No-one was hurt but the driver of the crane was a bit shaken up. It will not happen again.

"Nothing will be done today. The roller-coaster will probably start setting up tomorrow.

"If we think for a minute it will topple over, we won't construct the roller-coaster."

Updated: 15:16 Wednesday, May 29, 2002