A WOMAN has praised people who rushed to help after she was trapped in her car after a hit and run smash.

Julie Ratcliffe's Renault Clio was wrecked when it was hit by a white Saab on Penistone Road, at its junction with Carr Hill Road in Shepley, at 9am on Saturday.

Mrs Ratcliffe, of Ingbirchworth,

said: "The white car came straight out of the junction. I tried to swerve, but he hit my car and rammed it into a grass banking.

"He drove off, stopped about 100 yards away, then sped off. Within moments, people rushed to help."

Mrs Ratcliffe phoned 999 on her mobile phone, but was in such shock she did not know where she was. Someone grabbed the phone and told emergency services the spot.

Mrs Ratcliffe said: "I could not get my door open and was badly shocked and bruised.

"I heard someone say they would have to get me out of the car, because it was steaming and smoking.

"They sat me on the banking. I was shivering and two men wrapped their jackets round me.

"I was holding someone's hand and said "don't leave me." He said: `Don't worry, I won't.' "

The helpers also phoned Mrs Ratcliffe's husband, Antony.

She found out the names of a postman and woman who helped her, but does not know who the other two men are. She would like to thank them.

She said: "They were all such genuinely nice people. I don't know what I would have done without them."

Mrs Ratcliffe was taken by ambulance to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and went home that afternoon.

Her 18-month-old, £8,000 car is a write-off. She bought it just seven weeks ago.

The other car was an L-reg Saab, damaged at the front. Garages are looking out for it in case it is brought in for repair.