A pensioner was rushed to hospital yesterday suffering life-threatening injuries following a crash in central Oxford.

The 75-year-old woman was rescued by emergency teams after she was found hanging upside down in her vehicle.

It is thought her car was involved in a collision with a street cleaning vehicle, although police are appealing for witnesses.

Six people, including a cyclist, were taken to hospital after the incident on St Cross Road, in Oxford, outside Linacre College at about 11.15am on Tuesday. The pensioner suffered chest injuries which an ambulance spokesman described last night as "potentially life-threatening".

Police closed St Cross Road, Parks Road, Longwall Street and Mansfield Road to clear the debris and begin an investigation.

It is believed her blue Peugeot people carrier collided with a £36,000 Oxford City Council mechanical street cleaner and landed on its roof.

A 31-year-old cyclist suffered back injuries falling off a bike during the collision and was treated in hospital. Fire crews and paramedics were called to the crash site and helped free four people trapped inside the MPV, including the 75-year-old woman. All were treated at hospital, as was the driver of the street cleaner, but none were believed to be seriously hurt.

The crash caused traffic jams in the city centre after the surrounding roads were closed for more than five hours.

Oxford City Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: "Our driver was taken to hospital after the accident suffering a complaint of whiplash.

"But he has since been released from hospital and returned home."

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said: "One elderly lady suffered potentially life threatening injuries in the collision.

"She suffered an injury to her chest. The other five people taken to hospital were not considered to have life threatening injuries."

Police have launched an investigation and witnesses should contact officers on 08458 505505. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.