THREE survivors of a car crash that left two men dead were still in a serious condition in hospital last night.

Police yesterday named the dead men as taxi driver Michael Joseph Stewart, 39, of Surrey Crescent, Moorside, Consett, and his passenger, Michael Murray, 35, of The Rise, Castleside, both County Durham. They were pronounced dead at the scene of Sunday's accident on the A692 in Consett.

The three other people were last night said to be in a stable but serious condition in Newcastle General Hospital.

The accident happened near the Morrisons roundabout at about 6.50pm when the Neasham's taxi, a blue Peugeot 406 heading towards Consett town centre, was in collision with a black Citroen Xantia SX Turbo diesel travelling in the opposite direction.

Mr Stewart and Mr Murray were fatally injured. A 53-year-old woman, understood to be Mr Murray's wife, suffered serious leg, back, internal and neck injuries. She was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham and was yesterday transferred to a specialist spinal unit in Newcastle.

The front seat passenger, a Consett man whose age is unknown, suffered back and internal injuries. The driver of the Citroen, a 26-year-old from the Consett area, suffered serious head injuries. Both were airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital.

Witnesses are asked to call police on 0191-375 2159.