Traffic in the Coedpoeth area, near Wrexham, was brought to a standstill after the huge lifting vehicle, owned by TJ Crane Hire Ltd, clipped a Ford Focus being driven by the woman.

The incident, at the junction of High Street and Talwrn Road, happened at about 4.40pm yesterday.

Nobody was injured in the incident, but an eyewitness said the woman, who was later comforted by police and onlookers, had had a lucky escape.

He said: "She was sitting in her car when the crane ran down the hill and just clipped the car, pushing it onto the kerb."

A worker for TJ Crane Hire, who did not wish to be named said: "Apparently it has now gone to the insurers so there is not a lot I can say at the moment except the crane was coming down the hill and collided with a car."

The eyewitness said: "The crane went careering down and there was a car on his left hand side and he tried to avoid it but he hit the car on the right hand side.

"I couldn't believe it - she's lucky to be alive. He came down quite a steep hill."

A North Wales Police spokesman said: "Officers were called out to an incident at the junction between High Street and Talwrn Road which turned out to be damage only. No one was injured."

The drama added to delays for motorists diverted one way along Talwrn Road because of waste water improvement work in Coedpoeth.

The closure of the A525 began in January and the roadworks have been causing chaos for residents as well as commuters, and local businesses.

The works, which are part of a £1.2 billion investment by Dwr Cymru-Welsh Water to update the sewer networks, are due to take 12 weeks to complete and means there is no access to, or from, Heol Offa and Rhosberse Road onto the A525 during this time.

Traffic has been diverted via the Brymbo Link Road, B5101 Southsea and the B5430 Talwrn Road, which has been closed one way for safety, causing tailbacks.

Were you the female driver of the Ford Focus? If so, get in touch with the Evening Leader on 01978 355151 or email digitalnews@nwn.co.uk