TWO men were taken to hospital with serious injuries after being cut out of their car following a serious crash on the A64 near York last night, with police now seeking "a vital witness".

The collision, involving a Ford Mondeo and a van, happened at the Towthorpe Moor Lane crossroads near the Hazelbush Cafe, close to Stockton-on-the-Forest, at about 5.10pm, with police, fire crews, paramedics and the air ambulance called to the scene.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said two men suffered serious injuries, with a 60-year-old man from York who was driving the Mondeo being taken to Leeds General Infirmary and a 62-year-old man, also from York, being airlifted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. North Yorkshire Police said they were both in a stable condition today.

A third man, who is 82 and also from York, was treated at York Hospital but later released, with the driver of the Ford Transit escaping unhurt. The road remained close until late last night, with barriers preventing vehicles turning onto the route at Hopgrove roundabout.

Traffic Sergeant Andy Morton of North Yorkshire Police's roads policing group appealed for the driver of a silver car which crossed the A64 from the Stockton-on-the-Forest side of the road to Towthorpe Moor Lane around the time of the crash to contact officers, saying: "They may have vital information which could help this investigation.

"I am also keen to jear from anybody who witnessed the collision or saw either of the vehicles before the incident."

Anybody with information about the crash should phone Traffic Constable John Kendall at North Yorkshire Police on 101, or email john.kendall@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.