A teenage girl was taken to hospital with serious head injuries yesterday following an accident between a car and a coach on the A40.

The 14-year-old girl was a passenger in a blue Rover which was in collision with an Oxford Bus Company Espress service from London. Police said yesterday the girl's exact condition was unknown.

The driver of the Rover - a woman in her 20s - was treated for minor cuts and bruises following the smash at 9am.

The accident happened at Risinghurst, near the Thornhill park-and-ride on the westbound carriageway, near Collinwood Road.

Firefighters spent more than 30 minutes cutting the driver and passenger out of the Rover before the victims were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital by ambulance.

The driver of the bus and the seven passengers on board were unhurt.

Phil Ashworth, from Oxford Bus Company, said: "The coach had just called at Thornhill and was in the bus lane on its way towards the Headington roundabout.

"It was involved in a collision with a car turning right from the eastbound A40.

"There were only seven passengers on the bus, quite common for a morning service running against the peak time flow into London.

"No-one on the coach was injured, but the driver and a woman passenger were shaken by the accident.

"The Oxford Bus Company's thoughts are with the two people in the car and it's hoped they make a speedy and full recovery."

The accident was captured on the coach's CCTV cameras and footage has been made available to police by the company.

The collision caused major delays and one lane of the dual carriageway was closed, with traffic backing up to the M40. It was not cleared until about 2pm.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision. Pc Greg Stewart said: "Many of the passengers on the bus dispersed before we were able to talk with them.

"I would urge anyone who was on the bus to please get in touch with us. I would also like to hear from anyone else who may have witnessed the incident."

Anyone with information should call Pc Stewart on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.