A tow truck takes away a car that authorities said crashed through this entrance off Perimeter Road and onto the runway at Manchester Airport. (Mark Bolton/Union Leader)

MANCHESTER — A woman was taken into custody today after she drove a car onto the runway at Manchester Airport and headed toward Air Force One, minutes before President Bush arrived.

“The President was never in any danger,” Airport spokesman Brian O’Neill said.

President Bush was returning to the airport after delivering a noontime speech at a downtown Manchester hotel.

The woman’s identity was not immediately released and the President’s plane departed for his scheduled visit to Lexington, Ky.

The woman drove a blue Ford Escort through an open and guarded gate of Harvey and North Perimeter Road about 12:15 p.m.

“I’m surprised they didn’t shoot her,” said eyewitness Frank Conery, who works nearby.

Witnesses gave conflicting time estimates on how soon the Presidential motorcade arrived after the woman broke through security. Estimates ranged from one to seven minutes.

Several law enforcement vehicles pursued her after she entered the gate. “There was a collision in order to stop her vehicle,” O’Neill said.

Airport security and Secret Service jumped out of their cars and arrested her. The woman was being interviewed by Manchester Police and Secret Service, authorities said.