UPDATED: Serious crash on A64 (From York Press)

Serious crash on A64 near Whitwell on the Hill

11:00am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

AN 80-YEAR-OLD man from York was last night seriously ill in hospital after a two-car crash on the A64.

The accident happened at about 12.25pm on the westbound carriageway, near Whitwell-on-the Hill, near the turn-off for Kirkham Abbey, and closed the road for several hours. The injured man, who was driving a white Isuzu Piazza, was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary.

A woman from Leeds, who was driving a red Nissan Qashqai, was shaken up and treated by paramedics at the scene, but did not need to go to hospital.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the 80-year-old had suffered serious injuries. Firefighters were also called to the scene, and had to remove the roof and side of the Isuzu to free the man before he could be taken to hospital.

The carriageway was closed for about four hours, to allow police to investigate the scene and recover the vehicles. Motorists were diverted through Welburn throughout the afternoon, as the accident caused tailbacks up to a mile long.

Further delays were caused on the eastbound carriageway by motorists travelling in the opposite direction slowing to look at the scene of the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or either of the vehicles before the crash, are asked to phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Traffic Sergeant Neil Campbell.