DRIVERS in a two car-smash on the busy A59 Skipton to Harrogate road were both helicoptered to hospital after being cut from their vehicles this afternoon.
The accident soon after 1pm caused massive disruption as the road remained closed for some four hours and traffic was diverted onto minor roads during torrential rain.
Fire crews from Skipton and a heavy rescue appliance from Ripon were called to the crash at 1.23pm which involved a Mini and a Toyota on the A59 at Draughton.
The male drivers of both vehicles were trapped and had to be cut free.
The driver of the Mini, in his 40s, was taken to hospital by air ambulance suffering from back, neck and arm injuries. The driver of the Toyota, in his 30s, was taken to hospital by air ambulance suffering from back and neck injuries.
The road was due to reopen at 5.15pm.