A busy rail route was closed today after a lorry crashed on a bridge and ended up hanging precariously over the tracks.

The accident happened on the A658 about two miles south of Harrogate, in West Yorkshire, where the road passes over a commuter line, just before 3.30am.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "This HGV has hit the crash barrier and it's ended up on the parapet on a road bridge above a rail line.

"The lorry was on its side and the trailer was precariously balanced on the parapet.

"The driver and one passenger got out of the vehicle uninjured and Railtrack was immediately notified and all trains were stopped."

The spokesman said heavy lifting gear was taken to the scene and although the road remained closed, trains were now being driven past the scene slowly.