FIREFIGHTERS had to cut the roof off a car to free the injured driver after the vehicle left a road and crashed into a barrier in North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Police said it was called to the collision, involving a Vauxhall Zafira, on the A165 in Scarborough, near the South Cliff roundabout, at about 7.40am today.

A North Yorkshire fire service spokesperson said fire crews, along with police and ambulance staff, released the male driver who was trapped by stabilising the car and then removing the roof.

"The male, aged mid-40s, was then transported to hospital by ambulance with spinal injuries," the spokesperson added.

A police spokeswoman said that the man suffered injuries to his lower leg.

There was another crash on the A165 at around the same time.

North Yorkshire Police was called to the collision, involving a Fiat 500, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Caddy, at Lebberston, between Scarborough and Filey, at around 7.50am.

The spokeswoman confirmed no injuries were reported.