POLICE accident investigators have renewed an appeal for witnesses to a crash that left a motorist seriously injured.

Jonathan Cadman, 18, is still seriously ill in hospital three weeks after an accident on the Spennymoor bypass, in County Durham.

Mr Cadman, of Middlestone Moor, was standing beside his Alpha Romeo when it was involved in a collision with a Ford Transit minibus, between the gasworks roundabout and Middlestone Moor roundabout, at 2.30pm on Saturday, January 15.

The minibus drove through thick black smoke that was pouring from the Alpha Romeo, which was stationary at the time, before smashing into the car.

Mr Cadman was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with head injuries before being transferred to Newcastle General Hospital.

He is no longer in intensive care but his condition is still described as serious.

The minibus driver and three passengers were taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

PC Noel Arrowsmith said the roads were busy when the crash happened and although many passers-by had contacted police, there were others who had not yet come forward.

Police particularly want to talk to the driver of a dark coloured car that was travelling from Westerton to Spennymoor at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845 6060365.