Woman, 89, escapes Chelker Reservoir crash drama (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Woman, 89, escapes Chelker Reservoir crash drama

7:00am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Bradford By Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter

An 89-year-old woman escaped with her life when she managed to scramble out of a Land Rover which crashed off a road, through a drystone wall and plunged into a reservoir.

The pensioner was airlifted to hospital with a head injury after the vehicle – which was travelling towards Addingham on the A65 – left the road and ploughed through the stone wall into Chelker Reservoir at about 1.20pm yesterday.

The injured woman and the driver of the black Land Rover Defender, a woman believed to be in her 50s, managed to get themselves out of the vehicle to safety.

It is understood their vehicle became submerged in the water lying on its side.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the driver escaped unhurt, but the 89-year-old woman suffered a head injury and was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment. The extent of her injuries was not known last night.

Yesterday afternoon a tow truck had winched vehicle from the Yorkshire Water reservoir, which serves the Bradford area, and placed it on an embankment while crash investigators examined the scene.

The A65 was closed in both directions between Draughton and Addingham and drivers were urged to avoid the area as police carried out their investigations into the collision.

A Metro spokesman said a First West Yorkshire X84 bus service was unable to serve the Skipton area until the road had re-opened at about 5pm.

West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Fire Service spokesmen confirmed no crews from either brigade area were called to help at the incident.

Police say they are investigating the “serious road traffic incident” and are appealing for witnesses to get in touch with the force control room on 101, quoting reference number NYP-15052012-0195.