AN investigation into how a car plunged into a country beck, killing one man and leaving two with serious injuries, was under way last night.

Police accident investigators spent the day examining part of a country village following dramatic scenes the previous night, when emergency services workers battled to save the victims.

Yesterday, flowers were laid at Scugdale Beck, in Swainby, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, where the drama unfolded just after 11pm on Tuesday.

Police said a black Vauxhall Corsa car had been travelling on the minor road through the village when it lost control and veered into the beck.

The three Teesside men involved were named by police yesterday.

The man who died was John Lewis Manders, 18, of Enderby Gardens, Hemlington, near Middlesbrough. Mr Manders, who was the front seat passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His friends, 19-year-old Karl Jensen, of The Ridge, Coulby Newham, and Anthony Barker, of Osborne Close, Hemlington, both Middlesbrough, were rushed to hospital by ambulance crews following what was described as a difficult rescue, with the beck and the darkness to contend with.

Mr Jensen was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital, while Mr Barker was taken to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, both with serious injuries.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "A Vauxhall Corsa travelling through the village, towards the Scugdale Road junction, failed to negotiate a right-hand bend.

"The vehicle left the road and hit a tree, before coming to rest in Scugdale Beck, partially submerged in water."

A Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said two ambulances were sent and paramedics pulled two men from the wreckage of the car.

Anyone with information, or who saw the Corsa prior to the accident, is asked to contact police on (01609) 783131.