A LORRY driver had an extraordinary escape yesterday after his truck careered out of control and crushed six parked cars.

The 20-tonne lorry overturned and slid down a steep bank for 100 yards before crashing into the cars and demolishing a telegraph pole.

Villagers in Sleights, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, rushed to the scene at the bottom of Blue Bank after hearing the screeching of brakes and a bang.

The 44-year-old driver was treated at the roadside by paramedics before being airlifted to Middlesbrough General Hospital.

He escaped from the wreckage with a broken arm and cuts and bruises - but local people said it could have been far worse.

The eight-wheeled grain truck came to rest only yards from the front door of the Plough Inn, at the foot of the bank.

Landlord Tony Ward, 46, said it was the ninth similar crash he had seen in the 17 years he had owned the pub.

He said: "The scene was utter devastation and I'm just pleased no one was killed.

"The driver had an amazing escape. He just kept saying 'no brakes, no brakes' as he lay at the side of the road.

"The noise was horrendous and it looked like a bomb had gone off. There have been too many of these accidents on this hill, and it could have been a terrible tragedy."

The six cars, including two Ford Escorts and a Honda, were written off, and police said it was incredibly fortunate that they were unoccupied at the time.

North Yorkshire Police are investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred at about 1.10pm. A spokesman said the road was blocked for several hours.