POLICE were last night still trying to trace relatives of a middle-aged woman who died when her car collided head-on with a passenger-laden bus.

The woman had been driving a Jaguar which was overtaking a line of traffic when the accident happened on the A19, just south of York.

A total of 18 passengers on the bus, bound from York to Selby, suffered a variety of minor injuries in the collision, and they were taken to hospitals in York and Selby by a fleet of six ambulances.

The accident happened at about 4.30pm on Wednesday on a bend at Deighton. The Jaguar, travelling north, is believed to have clipped two other vehicles before the crash.

Passengers reported how the bus driver had swerved in an effort to avoid the oncoming car. He was among those later taken to hospital.

"He saved our lives really," said 25-year-old Tracey Milenovic, who was returning home to Selby on the bus after her day's work at a charity shop in York.

She said the collision had come as a massive jolt, and added: "Everyone was screaming and crying, and they were saying 'we have to get off the bus' because there was smoke.

"I was shaking and there was blood coming from my mouth."

Tracey suffered cut lips and chin, facial and knee cuts and a broken tooth and she said: "Most people were okay.

"The first thing everyone did was to start phoning a relative, anyone, just to let them know what was happening. A lady dialled for me and called my mum, as I couldn't speak at the time."

Anyone who saw the accident is asked to contact police on (01904) 669884.