TWO men were fighting for their lives in hospital today following a dramatic two-car collision last night.

Both victims were thrown from a Vauxhall Vectra due to the force of the impact of the accident, with a Vauxhall Zafira, on the A181 road, near the villages of Cassop and Thornley, in County Durham.

The men, the 22-year-old driver from Sacriston, County Durham, and his 28-year-old passenger from Newcastle, were treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics before being airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough by police helicopter.

They were both reported to be in a "critical" condition in intensive care at the hospital today.

Both the 60-year-old male driver of the Zafira, and his 62-year-old female passenger, from nearby Thornley, were also treated at the scene before being taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham, for treatment for whiplash injuries.

Durham Police's road policing unit is investigating the cause of the collision, 50m east of the A181's junction with the B6291 leading to Cassop.

A force spokesman said the Vectra and Zafira were travelling in the same direction at the point of collision.

The Vectra was thrust across the road, hitting a street light and a tree, throwing both men from the vehicle.

As a result of the accident the road was closed for approximately five hours following the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to contact either PC Ian Haigh or Inspector Kenneth Pullan, of the road policing unit, on 0345-60 60 365.