FOUR teenagers were hurt - one critically - when a car believed to have been taken without the owner's consent collided with a tree stump at the weekend.

A police spokesman said the accident happened when a Nissan Micra failed to take a right-hand bend on the B6309 road, between Wittonstall and Ebchester, at 2am on Saturday.

A 19-year-old man of Moorside, Consett, who was one of three passengers in the car, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with serious head injuries and internal injuries. He underwent emergency surgery and was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit, where his condition was later reported to be critical but stable. He has since been moved to the high dependency unit.

The 18-year-old driver of the car, from Castleside, Consett, was taken to the Durham's University Hospital, with leg injuries that are not reported to be serious.

The two other passengers, aged 17 and 18 years, who are both from the north Durham area, were also taken to hospital. One was treated for a broken arm and the other for broken ribs.

It is believed the Micra was the only vehicle involved and that it had been taken without the owner's consent.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident should contact the police accident investigation unit on (0191) 375 2159.