A WOMAN died and 18 people were injured in a rush-hour collision between a bus and a car on a busy route yesterday.

Scores of 999 crews from the fire, police and ambulance services converged on the A19 at Deighton, near Escrick, between York and Selby, North Yorkshire, in the wake of the crash at 4.30pm.

The accident happened in the northbound lane, near the White Swan pub, and involved a single-decker service bus.

Police said last night that the woman who died was the driver of the car.

Eighteen passengers from the bus were taken to hospital for check-ups and treatment for what police described as slight injuries, mainly cuts and bruises.

Ten were taken to York District Hospital and eight were taken to Selby Hospital.

Later, a police spokesman said six emergency ambulances and four fire appliances attended the scene, and a trauma doctor was also sent to tend people at the scene.

Massive queues of rush-hour traffic built up after the road was closed and diversions were set up.

Anyone who witnessed the incident was last night asked to contact North Yorkshire Police's accident investigation unit, on (01904) 669884.