A CREW of around 20 emergency services workers rescued a woman who became trapped inside a car after a crash with a gritter lorry.

A black Ford Focus and a yellow gritting lorry were involved in a collision on the A24 near Buck barn Crossroads, west of Cowfold, at around 11pm on Sunday.

Three West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service crews rushed to the scene from Horsham and Partridge Green, including a heavy-rescue unit which is used for serious collisions.

The fire service was at the scene within five minutes. The roof of the badly damaged car had to be removed in order to get the female passenger out.

A passer-by, who saw the emergency services hard at work, said: “The gritter lorry apparently pulled out in front of the small car before the collision happened.

“I heard that the people in the car had just come back from a holiday and were on their way back to Southampton.

“There was minimal damage to the gritter lorry but the car was in a terrible state.

“A large number of firemen and women working at the scene were just doing a great job.

“The woman, who was a passenger in the car, was lifted out in good time.

“There must have been at least 20 people there to deal with the incident.

“It was only the woman who had to be taken out of the car as she was stuck inside.

“The paramedics then jumped in to check how she was doing.

“All round the emergency services did a great job to rescue and treat those who were injured.”

The injured woman, who was struggling to breathe properly, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for treatment.

The driver of the car, a 31-year-old man from Southampton, was also taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital to be treated for shock and whiplash injuries.

The lorry driver, a 27- year-old man from Waterlooville, Hampshire, was not injured.

Both vehicles were travelling south at the time of the accident.

The southbound carriageway was temporarily closed while the incident was dealt with.

Sussex Police were also in attendance throughout the incident.

Emergency services left the scene shortly after midnight.