UP to five people were injured in a crash involving three cars on the A19 near York.

The crash, which happened outside Wrights Garage at Crockey Hill at about 1pm on Saturday, involved a Renault Megane, a Peugeot 309 and a Volkswagen Passat. Two of the cars were said to have collided head-on.

Firefighters were called in to free one person who was trapped in one of the vehicles.

The ambulance service confirmed it had taken four people to hospital with minor injuries.

Any witnesses are asked to ring York police on 01904 631321.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist was fighting for his life today after he was involved in an horrific crash near Selby.

The 37-year-old man, who is believed to be from the Eggborough area, was taken by air ambulance to Pinderfields Hospital, in Wakefield, after his red Honda left the road on the A645, near Low Row, Kellington, yesterday afternoon. His condition was today described as critical.

Elsewhere, a man died and two people were injured in a head-on crash in Ryedale.

The driver of a Ford Orion was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital in Malton after the car was involved in a collision with a Rover 25 car near Kirkbymoorside, on the A170 Scarborough to Thirsk road.

An injured woman passenger from the Rover, who is believed to be from the Beverley area, was taken to York District Hospital by air ambulance.

The man driving the Rover was taken to the same hospital by ambulance. Police said the man who died is believed to be from the Durham area. The crash, which happened at about 4pm on Saturday at a place known locally as Howkeld, one mile west of Kirkbymoorside, blocked the A170 for about four hours.

Updated: 15:06 Monday, September 17, 2001