POLICE have praised rescuers after a serious crash involving four vehicles.

The incident happened at around 12.50pm on Friday, on the A168 between Thirsk and Northallerton at Thornton-le-Moor.

An air ambulance attended the scene, along with other emergency services.

The driver of a Vauxhall was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of a flat bed lorry, a man in his 40s, was arrested for dangerous driving and suspicion of being unfit through drink or drugs.

The occupants of two other vehicles escaped injury.

He has been interviewed and released under investigation while enquiries continue.

The road was closed until around 4.15pm.

Sgt Paul Cording, Roads Policing Sergeant for North Yorkshire Police, said: "Still can’t quite believe the driver of the flat bed walked away from this & the driver of the Vauxhall taken to hospital with serious but non life threatening injuries."

He added: "This was a fantastic response by all blue light services and I would pass on my personal thanks to them all for their professionalism at the scene."