A DRIVER and passenger were critically injured in a smash on a winding Huddersfield road – and police say the combined impact of the speed of both vehicles was around 80mph.
One of the casualties had to be airlifted to hospital, another was seriously injured and three other people were slightly hurt in the accident which shut the Dalton road for hours.
The smash between a blue Fiat Punto car and a white Iveco van happened on Dalton Bank Road at 10.10am on Saturday morning.
A woman passenger in the Punto, believed to be from the north east, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with serious head and body injuries after she was cut from the vehicle by fire crews.
A man who was driving the car is in Bradford Royal Infirmary with serious head and internal injuries. He is from Huddersfield.
Both remain in hospital in critical conditions. Two other passengers in the Fiat Punto – a six-year-old and his grandmother from the north east – were taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with minor injuries.
The driver of the van suffered shock and minor injuries.
Another vehicle, a Vauxhall Corsa, also crashed at the scene after swerving to avoid the accident.
The man driving was shocked but unhurt after hitting railings at the side of the road.
Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who saw either the van or the Punto in the minutes before the crash or the collision itself should contact traffic police in Huddersfield on 01484 436847.
l A motorist was cut from his car by fire crews after his vehicle crashed and overturned on the M62.
The crash happened yesterday morning when the driver of a red Toyota Avensis struck a barrier on the eastbound carriageway just under the towering Brown Cow Bridge next to Scammonden Dam.
He was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with minor injuries.
