A woman died today after her car was involved in a horror crash with a fire engine called out on a false alarm.

A joint investigation has been launched by the police and fire brigade after the accident on the A650 near Nab Wood Crematorium shortly before 5.30pm yesterday.

The 37-year-old mother of three, Sharon Southgate-Hesling, of Airedale Avenue, Cottingley was driving a red Seat Cordoba towards Shipley when her car was involved in the collision with the fire engine. It was on a 999 call with siren wailing and blue lights flashing travelling towards Bingley.

Her family said today her mother was flying back from a trip to Spain.

None of the firefighters was injured in the smash.

An eye witness, who declined to be named, said the car was pinned underneath the fire engine with its passenger side crushed. The woman was stuck in her seat with the engine just inches from her arm.

He said: "All of the firemen seemed to be okay, but the driver looked terribly shocked. I think he ended up going to hospital.

"Another fire engine quickly turned up - and altogether there must have been five fire engines that eventually turned up to help the woman."

The Shipley-stationed fire tender involved in the crash had been answering an emergency call at the Jarvis Bankfield Hotel in Bradford Road, Bingley.

Richard Stoyle, the hotel's general manager, confirmed today that his staff dialled 999 after a fire alarm went off.

He said fire engines arrived at the hotel but it was a false alarm and there was no fire. The fire engines then travelled to the scene of the crash to assist in the rescue of the woman.

The woman was believed to have been cut free from the mangled wreckage of her car and taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary suffering from serious head injuries.

But a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the hospital confirmed the woman died at 12.15am today.

The spokesman added: "We are investigating the cause of the accident. The woman driver was the only person injured in the accident."

Long tailbacks built up in both directions as debris was cleared away and accident investigators arrived on the scene. The road was closed for two hours and traffic was diverted via Nab Lane.

West Yorkshire Fire Brigade's Chief Fire Officer Phil Toase said: "I would express my personal sympathy and the sympathy and deepest regret of the brigade to the family concerned.

"The incident is being investigated both internally by ourselves and also by the police."

Police at Eccleshill Traffic Division are appealing for any witnesses to ring (01274) 376059.

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