FOUR people were taken to hospital after a serious crash involving a police car in York.

Two officers were responding to an emergency call when their vehicle collided with a blue Volvo, containing an elderly couple.

The police car is believed to have had its siren and blue lights on at the time of the accident, which occurred at about 7.35pm last night.

One witness said he had seen the police car travelling at high speed moments earlier.

Sergeant John Settle, senior officer on the scene, said the male driver of the civilians' car suffered serious back and pelvic injuries and had to be cut free by firefighters.

His wife had minor injuries, while the two police officers received neck and shoulder injuries.

A Yorkshire Ambulance spokesman said one also suffered an arm injury.

The accident happened when the police car, also a Volvo, was heading west along Acomb Road.

It was responding to a request for back-up from an officer in Acomb, when it collided with the civilians' Volvo, which was turning into Acomb Road from New Lane.

Sgt Settle said: "We believe at this time that the police vehicle was responding to an emergency incident where a police officer has called for urgent assistance.

"We believe the vehicle has been travelling along Acomb Road in the direction of Front Street, and that the other vehicle, a Volvo S40, has been exiting New Lane into Acomb Road."

Inspector Mike Thompson, of York Police, said the incident to which the police Volvo was responding was one of "general disorder" in Acomb.

At Holgate Working Men's Club, one witness said: "I saw a police car come past me - and then I heard a thud. I think the car coming out of here must have hit the police car.

"I was at the bus stop at the Fox Inn waiting to go into town. I saw a police car come up from town and pass me. It was like a bat out of hell coming along."

Becky Wright, 29, of Murray Street, said: "I did not hear anything, but I could not believe it."

Another witness, who declined to be named, said: "I did see it, but I do not want to say. It was not nice."

Acomb Road remained closed between Murray Street and Grantham Drive last night, while police officers investigated the wreckage.

Sgt Settle appealed for anyone in the Acomb or Holgate area who had been passed by a police car shortly before the accident to contact them.

Sgt Settle added: "We are desperate for witnesses to come forward, because we believe the police vehicle may have been overtaking other vehicles, but we do not know.

"One would assume it had been doing, with lights and emergency equipment on."

Anyone with information should phone 0845 6060247.