A ST HELENS council worker was injured in a collision involving a ride-on lawnmower and a car on St Helens Linkway on Friday (June 24).

The wounded 54-year-old lawnmower driver, whose injuries were initially believed to be serious, was taken to Aintree Hospital.

The driver of the John Deare lawnmower had been working for St Helens Council at the time of the incident, which also involved a black Volkswagen Up which was being driven by a 20-year-old man from Runcorn.

Emergency services were called to the scene - where the lawnmower had overturned - at around 11.30am.

It is thought an air ambulance was initially called but then cancelled - and both drivers, who had left their vehicles prior to the arrival of firefighters, were treated at the scene by paramedics.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "The mower had overturned and there was a petrol leak from one of the vehicles. We were called at 11.36am.

"The driver of the lawnmower is believed to have been bleeding from an injury."

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Fire & Rescue said: "Two fire engines attended the scene, together with the search and rescue team.

"One vehicle was on its side when firefighters arrived, and the other was on all four wheels.

"One of the drivers was taken to Aintree University Hospital for further treatment."

The linkway (A570) was temporarily closed on the St Helens-bound carriageway between the junction with Eurolink and Elton Head Road.

Firefighters remained at the incident for around half an hour and St Helens Council were also in attendance.

Merseyside Police, who are investigating the incident, would like to speak to passengers of a bus that was on the same road at the time. Anyone with information can call the non-emergency number 101.