A MOTORIST had a lucky escape after his car was hit from behind by an lorry, sparking a two-hour rescue effort.

He was waiting in a line of stationary traffic outside the Highwayman cafe, on the A64, between Malton and York, at about 10.55pm, on Monday.

His Volkswagen Lupo was at the back of the traffic, at a set of temporary traffic lights.

Police today described the man's injuries as "serious, but not life-threatening".

As a result of the impact, the Lupo was pushed underneath a van immediately in front of it in the queue.

Emergency crews worked into the early hours to free the driver of the Lupo, a local man in his late 20s.

The road was closed overnight, causing some delays for early morning commuters yesterday (TUE). It reopened at about 8am yesterday.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said two cars were waiting at the temporary traffic lights, followed by a recovery vehicle, followed by the Lupo, when the HGV went into the back of it.

He said: "Crew performed an extrication which lasted for two hours.

"Our colleagues from North Yorkshire Police arranged for a heavy crane to attend the scene, which helped to lift the recovery vehicle away from the Lupo."

The 39-year-old driver of the German-registered HGV was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

He remained in police custody today.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call traffic constable Dave Willey, on 0845-60-60-24-7.