AN Ilkley woman has died after her car collided with another in windswept conditions just outside the town.

The 73-year-old died after her VW Golf was in

collision with a Saab 95 Estate as the pensioner was

driving towards the town along Hangingstone Road.

The woman was named by police yesterday as Patricia Branigan, of Deaconess Court, Queens Road, Ilkley.

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out yesterday and an inquest into Mrs Branigan's death is expected to be opened later this week.

The driver of the green Saab - a 33-year-old-man from Headingley, Leeds - suffered minor injuries in the accident but did not require hospital treatment.

The crash happened at the junction with Maxwell Road near Ben Rhydding at 12.40pm on Tuesday, November 7.

Firefighters had to cut Mrs Branigan free from the mangled wreck of her blue car. She was treated by paramedics from the Air Ambulance Service before being taken to Airedale General Hospital by ground ambulance.

She was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police closed the road for five hours after the

accident, which was 300 yards from the Cow and Calf pub car park.

Ray Allen, of Bradford, witnessed the aftermath to the accident. He said: "I was the first car upon the scene. I was scared to look in the cars in case of what I might find.

"I sat with the lady until the ambulance came. I have just taken a first aid course. I tried to keep her warm and talk to her and do the things you are

supposed to do in an accident. I could tell she was in a bad way."

Sergeant Richard Czornowol, based at Ilkley Police Station, praised Mr Allen's assistance. He said: "He did a great job and we appreciate his help at the scene."

Sgt Czornowol said he could not speculate on the cause of the collision. "We cannot say that weather conditions had anything to do with it until we have had the accident investigation branch and examined the vehicles."

Barry Kennedy, caretaker at Deaconess Court, where Mrs Branigan had lived for 18 months, said he and her neighbours had been shocked by the tragedy.

He said: "I was really shocked because I had only been in her flat the day before looking for a key that she had lost. She was really nice and kind and had a grandson who worshipped her and regularly came to see her. She was a pensioner but was a really active woman who would go out nine or ten times a day and was always offering her neighbours a lift."

Keighley Road Traffic Police are appealing for information. Call 01535 617047 or 01535 617059.