A 21-YEAR-OLD minibus driver who miraculously survived a horrendous crash at a North Yorkshire beauty spot is a University of York charity worker, it has emerged.

Helen Grieve, 21, a former university student, was at the wheel of a maroon minibus when it plunged 200ft down a ravine at the Hole of Horcum, near Pickering.

The sabbatical officer escaped with minor injuries, despite being trapped in the vehicle for more than two hours after the accident. Helen was driving the minibus to a student-organised camp at Staithes, near Whitby, for disadvantaged children from North Yorkshire.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident, which occurred on the A169 between Pickering and Whitby at Saltersgate Bank on Friday afternoon.

Helen, who comes from Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, was elected to the role of York Student Community Action officer only last month.

Helen, a trained minibus driver, was ferrying supplies from York to the campsite.

The two-week camp, which was due to start on Sunday, has now been cancelled. The children, aged between 12 and 16, had not yet arrived on site. Student Union president Tom Connor said: "This is obviously a terrible accident and the most important thing is that Helen survived. This is the first accident of any kind that has taken place on a camp.

"I just hope the accident does not spoil the future running of the events which benefit many children from across North Yorkshire."

Hilary Layton, University spokeswoman, said: "The university is very pleased that Helen is OK. We would like to learn more about the incident, and we will be talking to the students' union."

Updated: 08:28 Tuesday, August 13, 2002