A WOMAN was killed after a cow escaped from its field and was hit by two cars on the A66.

Three other people were injured as the animal crushed the first vehicle and then fell into the path of the second, leaving a trail of devastation on the A66 near Bowes, County Durham.

Margaret Susan Munden, a 27-year-old woman from Cambridgeshire, who was the front seat passenger in the first car, a Seat Cordoba, was confirmed dead on the scene.

Farmers in the area are said to have had problems with motorists stopping to go to the toilet in roadside fields and leaving gates open.

The accident happened at around 10pm on Friday night, as Mrs Munden and her husband, Brian, 29, were driving on the eastbound carriageway of the road, close to the Otter Trust, Bowes Moor.

Falling onto the Seat, the cow caused massive damage to the roof of the vehicle, and Mrs Munden, who was the front seat passenger, sustained "massive head injuries", said police.

The animal then hit a Peugeot 306, which was also travelling on the eastbound carriageway.

Mr Munden, an RAF flight lieutenant, who was driving the Cordoba, was treated for minor injuries at Darlington Memorial Hospital before being released.

Last night, he had returned to his home in Huntindon, near RAF Wyton where he is based.

The occupants of the Peugeot were also treated for minor injuries.

Inspector Dave Hammond, of Durham Police's traffic unit, said: "It's too early to indicate whether the owner of the beast or anyone else is liable to prosecution."

Anyone with information should call Durham Police's accident investigation unit on 0191-3864929.