TWO bike riders were injured in a rush-hour smash on a busy route out of York.

A motorcyclist and a pillion passenger were both thrown about 40 yards from the crash site, along with their bike, as a result of the impact.

They suffered leg and back injuries, but these are not believed to be series.

The crash happened at the junction of Tadcaster Road and Sim Balk Lane, by the new York College site, at about 6pm last night, as commuters were leaving the city.

A black Kawasaki Ninja bike was heading towards the A64 when it was in collision with the back of a silver Ford Focus that was turning into Sim Balk Lane.

The motorbike continued in its path until it came to rest outside the Total garage.

Fire crews attended the scene. No one was trapped, but the middle-aged woman driver of the Ford Focus received help from firefighters until she was taken to York Hospital by paramedics shortly after 7pm.

Both the motorcycle riders were taken to York Hospital by ambulance crews, but a North Yorkshire Police spokesman said their injuries were not serious.

Officers closed one lane of Tadcaster Road by the garage. But traffic was able to move freely past the crash site, with no tailbacks reported by motorists.

PC Steve Earnshaw, of Selby traffic division, said: "The motorcycle has been in collision with the car in the middle of the junction, and the bike and the passenger have been thrown about 40 yards up the road.

"Everybody involved sustained injuries and a number of witnesses have already come forward."

He appealed for any other witnesses to contact him by phoning North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060 247.

Meanwhile, two other accidents occurred in the city at about the same time.

A moped rider was taken to York Hospital after a crash with a car outside the Vauxhall Garage, on Jockey Lane, Monks Cross, at 5.50pm last night.

Another crash happened later at 6.50pm, when two cars collided at the junction of York Road and Strensall Road, in Strensall. No one was injured in the incident.