AN appeal for witnesses has been made after an elderly man was seriously injured when his car was in collision with a tractor in Shelf.

The man, the driver of a silver Peugeot 107, had to be cut free by firefighters though initial suggestions are that his injuries are not life threatening.

The collision between the John Deere tractor, which was towing a trailer, and the Peugeot car occurred at a mini roundabout on the junction of Cooper Lane and Carr House Lane on the outskirts of Shelf.

The junction is a busy cross roads near the Prince of Orange pub with locals saying it is notorious for accidents.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 2pm yesterday.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fire and rescue crews from Odsal, Fairweather Green and Cleckheaton’s technical rescue team went to the scene and cut the man from the vehicle.

“We do not have any information about his injuries but an air ambulance was called and the man was taken to hospital by air.”

West Yorkshire Police were at the scene and had cordoned off the road to allow the emergency services access.
Several queuing vehicles were forced to find alternative routes.

Crew Commander Ian Turner of Odsal Fire and Rescue Service said: “The man, in his 80s, was conscious and breathing throughout the rescue

“He didn’t appear seriously injured but an air ambulance was deployed because of his age as a precaution.

“Staff from all three fire stations were involved in removing the roof of the car so the casualty’s injuries could be assessed.

“It didn’t appear to have been a high speed impact and looks as though both vehicles have collided on the roundabout.

 “We left the scene at around 2.45pm." 

A witness at the scene said: “The Peugeot is a mess though it is difficult to see what has happened.

“The tractor has a trailer on the back and it looks as though it was attempting to turn onto Cooper Lane.

“The car has had its roof cut off. I have been told the man’s injuries may not be as serious as first thought.

“The traffic is quite light on the road at the moment but this will cause some disruption while vehicle rescue work is carried out.

“Some road users turned round and sought alternative routes when they saw the police tape across the road.”

Motorists were advised to avoid that stretch of road while vehicle recovery took place which was expected to take a couple of hours.

West Yorkshire Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A spokesman said the Peugeot 107, driven by an 88-year-old man, collided with the tractor before colliding with a Peogeot 308.

He said: "The 88 year old male driver of the Peugeot 107 sustained serious injuries and was transported to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.

"Anyone who saw the silver Peugeot or the green tractor at the time of the incident or immediately prior is asked to contact PC 4377 Lewis of Roads Policing on the non-emergency number 101."