MORE than 50 people were hurt - seven of them seriously - when a coach and a lorry collided on a busy road yesterday.

Witnesses described the HGV as ''smashed in two'' by the impact, while the coach was forced across a central reservation and into a field.

Although the coach stayed upright, injured passengers were trapped inside for almost two hours until they were freed by firefighters using hydraulic equipment.

The accident happened just before 11am on the A64 York bypass, near the city's racecourse.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and an RAF helicopter, from Leconfield, helped ferry the injured to hospital, along with a fleet of ambulances and fast response cars manned by paramedics.

Last night, two people - one a 16-year-old girl - were in a serious condition in Leeds General Infirmary.

Four more were also taken to York District Hospital for emergency treatment. It is understood the more serious casualties suffered neck or back injuries.

Another 15 passengers were treated at York District Hospital for less serious injuries, ten were taken to Harrogate District Hospital, 17 to Pontefract and two to St James's Hospital, in Leeds.

Lorry driver John Johnson, from Selby, said it appeared the coach had collided with the side of the lorry, veering through the central reservation, crushing the barriers on the way.

He said: "I'm just amazed it didn't go on its side. If it had done, then who knows how bad the injuries could have been?"

Coach operator Viscount Central, in Burnley, declined to comment, but it is understood the party booked with a Chorley tour company, with collecting points in Lancashire and South Yorkshire.

None of the names of the injured were released last night. A hotline has been set up for worried relatives on (01609) 768111.