A MAN is critically ill in hospital after the car he was travelling in crashed into a bus stop in the early hours of this morning.

Fire crews had to cut the 24-year-old out of a blue Fiat Punto on Yarm Road at the junction with Sunningdale Drive in Eaglescliffe shortly before 4am.

The car was being driven northbound along Yarm Road when it collided with the central reservation and hit the bus shelter.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "A 24-year-old local man was taken to North Tees General Hospital in Stockton and then transferred to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where his condition this morning is described as critical.

"A 29-year-old local man was taken to James Cook University Hospital and later released."

Three fire engines attended the crash, from stations at Thornaby, Yarm and Stockton.

Crews were called out to a report of a road traffic collision involving one vehicle which had crashed into a bus stop, said a spokeswoman for Cleveland Fire Brigade.

"One male was extricated by the fire brigade," she added.

Police have arrested two local men aged 24 and 29 in connection with the incident.

Anyone who saw the Blue Punto before the collision or witnessed the crash is asked to contact PC 930 Bruce Thorpe of the Road Policing Unit on 01642-301552.