A 15-FEET steel parking barrier skewered a car missing the driver by inches during a freak accident at Skipton Building Society.

Angela Dowbiggin, 34, of Carleton, escaped serious injury as the pole at the exit to the society's head office on the Bailey blew into the path of her car and crashed through the passenger side headlight.

The four inch by two inch pole went up the side of the engine compartment and entered the passenger side of the car through the radio of the dashboard.

It embedded itself in the driver's seat.

Mrs Dowbiggin walked free from the wreckage with only a grazed hand and shock and was taken to Airedale Hospital, Steeton, to be checked over.

Fire, police and an ambulance were called to the scene of the accident at about 1.15pm on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the fire service said Mrs Dowbiggin, a Skipton Building Society employee, had reversed from her parking space and had been making her way to the main exit when the security pole somehow became detached and swung into her Vauxhall Vectra.

Ian Walker, head of human resources and training at Skipton Building Society, said: "A member of Skipton's staff was involved in an accident in the car park at The Bailey on Tuesday when a barrier swung open and went into the car she was driving.

"Trained first aiders responded immediately and provided valuable assistance before the emergency services arrived.

"She was taken to Airedale Hospital but having sustained only minor cuts and bruises to her hand, she is now resting at home.

"Following the incident, all barriers have been removed to ensure this does not occur again, with temporary tape applied as a warning, and staff have been asked to drive with care on the site.

"An internal investigation has been launched into how the accident happened."