A MAN was killed and two others badly hurt when a four-wheel drive vehicle and a car collided yesterday.

The 75-year-old front seat passenger of an Isuzu Trooper died when the 4x4 turned off the A19 in North Yorkshire, near the Tollerton crossroads, and collided with a grey Ford Escort travelling in the opposite direction.

A back seat passenger, in his 70s, was taken to York District Hospital with serious injures, and police said the driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The 27-year-old driver of the Escort was airlifted to Middlesbrough General Hospital with serious chest injuries.

Fire crews from Easingwold, Acomb and Ripon were called to the scene shortly after 9am and used cutting equipment to release the victims trapped in the wreckage.

Ambulance service general manager Mike Shanahan said: "Helen Charman, one of our training officers from nearby Burnhall, was first to arrive at the scene. She did an excellent and thorough job under difficult circumstances, prior to the arrival of the ambulance and other emergency services."

A section of the A19 between Easingwold and York was closed for more than six hours, with diversions put in place.

Anyone who can help the investigation into the crash is asked to call (01723) 509555.