AN ELDERLY woman was cut free from her car and airlifted to hospital after a head-on collision.

Gladys Milburn, 65, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, was travelling towards Otley near Manor Park bends on the A65, when her red Ford Fiesta collided with a red Renault Savannah (below).

Mrs Milburn, of Hill Crescent, was seriously injured and trapped in her car. Paramedics and air ambulance crew, who dashed to the scene, assisted and gave her pain relief so that she could be cut free by the fire service.

Three fire crews attended and Alex Watson, station officer at Ilkley, said: "The paramedics were on the scene and the air ambulance. It took approximately 30 minutes to stabilise the casualty. We cut the roof off so that we could lift her." She was then taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries.

She was later transferred to St James's Hospital in Leeds where

yesterday her condition was described as comfortable and stable.

It is not known, at this stage, what caused the accident, which occurred just before the Little Chef restaurant on Tuesday. Sgt Peter Corkindale, of Ilkley Police, who attended the scene, said: "We are still trying to sort out what happened. There is a left-hand bend there with a high kerb. We are not sure if she has just misjudged the bend and has drifted over on the other side of the road."

The vehicle driven by Mrs Milburn has been sent to the Accident Investigation Branch of the police to determine if a mechanical fault was to blame.

The occupants of the other car, Bridget Tully from Ilkley and her two children, escaped without serious injury.

A passing wagon driver has been praised for his quick-thinking assistance at the scene of the accident.

Vincent Magee found himself caught up in the action of the

collision - and proved himself something of a hero.

Mr Magee, of Barrowford, was caught up in the tail-back immediately after the accident, and was asked to transport members of the air ambulance crew to the scene which was

300 metres away from where the

helicopter could land.

Having unloaded his van the woman was placed on board and transported to the helicopter. His contribution has been praised by the emergency services. (10-031-AH)