Six cars involved in pile-up on steep Sutton Bank road

Police, fire crews and ambulances were called to the scene at about 4.30pm this afternoon (Sunday, March 23) when six cars were involved in a traffic collision on a hairpin bend on the A170 at Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, in North Yorkshire.

Two cars ended up on their roofs, while others came to rest across the carriageway. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said despite dramatic scenes of damaged cars, people were able to walk away from their cars.

One person was taken to hospital.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said: “There were no people trapped, so we gave general assistance and made the area safe.”

It is believed dangerous driving conditions caused by a hailstorm may have led to the accident.

The road, which in places has a gradient of 1 in 4 - or 25 per cent - was closed in both directions while emergency crews deal with the scene.

North Yorkshire Police urged drivers to avoid the area. Roadside recovery vehicles arrived at about 6pm to begin removing the cars from the area before the road was reopened.