A MAN died and two people were seriously injured after a two-car collision north of York.

The accident happened at about 3pm yesterday, at Moor Lane, Newton-on-Ouse, off the A19, and involved a red Alfa Romeo and a black Fiat Punto.

The driver of the Punto, said to be a local man in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Firefighters freed a woman - also said to be local - from the wreckage of the Punto, and she was airlifted to York Hospital with serious leg injuries. A 23-year-old man, who was driving the Alfa Romeo, was taken by ambulance to York Hospital with serious pelvic, ankle and chest injuries.

Firefighters from Acomb, Ripon and Easingwold attended the scene.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the Alfa Romeo car had burst into flames following the impact.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said two ambulances had been sent to the scene, along with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Two doctors and medical staff from RAF Linton-on-Ouse were also in attendance. Sergeant Jon Landers said the Punto and a Volvo lorry had been travelling towards High Moor Lane and the Alfa Romeo was travelling towards Linton-on-Ouse when the collision occurred.

The driver of the lorry and a passenger in the vehicle were uninjured.

Sgt Landers asked anyone who saw the collision or the movements of the vehicles prior to the crash to contact Traffic Constable Matt Knowles on 01723 509555.

The road was closed until 8pm so police could examine the scene.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, December 12, 2003