TWO people have died and six have been seriously injured in a series of crashes on the region’s roads.

Police believe a 69-year-old man who died in a crash in County Durham, on Friday, suffered a seizure at the wheel. His blue Nissan Micra crossed the central reservation of the A690 and hit a red Hyundia Accent head-on.

The driver, a 47-year-old woman, suffered critical injuries, and was airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital.

The crash, at the junction with West Rainton and Pittington crossroads, happened at 5.40pm. A third vehicle suffered minor damage when it struck debris on the road.

Witnesses are asked to call police on 0345-60-60-365.

A motorcyclist and his pillion passenger were injured after a crash on the A170 Helmsley to Pickering road, in North Yorkshire yesterday.

The pair were on a silver Yamaha FJR which collided with a pale blue Jaguar car one mile east of Helmsley at about 3.20pm.

The motorcyclist, a 47-yearold from West Yorkshire, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted along with his passenger to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

The road was closed for four hours after the crash.

On Saturday, a motorcyclist was killed and an elderly couple seriously hurt in a collision in the Yorkshire Dales.

The red-and-black GSXR bike is believed to have been overtaking a vehicle when it crashed into a red Vauxhall Zafira on the A684, between Hawes and Sedbergh. The accident happened at about 2.35pm when the bike was travelling towards Sedbergh.

The rider, believed to have been a 21-year-old man from Southport, Lancashire was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Zafira, was being driven towards Hawes by a 65- year-old man from Sale, Greater Manchester.

He was later said to be critical but stable in hospital. His wife, aged 63, was also taken to hospital where she was being treated for serious injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses, or anyone who saw the vehicles before the crash, to call them on 0845-60-60-247.

Also on Saturday, a man was taken to hospital by air ambulance after two cars collided near Darlington.

Firefighters cut the man from the vehicle near the Carlbury Arms, in Piercebridge.

The crews were called to the scene at 11.48am and two appliances, as well as a heavy rescue vehicle, attended.

The man was rescued from the car at 12.27pm and taken to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by helicopter.