A MOTORIST who was in a critical condition following a five-vehicle accident in a village street was improving in hospital last night.

Firefighters cut the 20-year-old man free from his damaged Ford Escort before he was airlifted by ambulance helicopter to hospital, following Saturday's multiple shunt in Shotton Colliery, near Peterlee, County Durham.

The victim, from Thornley, was initially in a critical condition in intensive care at the University Hospital of North Durham, Durham City.

But he was yesterday said to be improving, and no longer in a life-threatening situation, allowing him to be transferred to another ward.

Three other people suffered minor injuries in the accident, which began with the Escort being in collision with a Fiat Bravo car emerging from Shotton Lane to Front Street.

Police said the Escort then struck an oncoming Arriva bus, which in turn collided with two parked cars.

The driver of the Bravo, a 69-year-old Shotton Colliery woman, was treated at the University Hospital, Hartlepool, for shock and whiplash injuries before being released.

Two passengers on the bus received treatment for minor injuries from ambulance crews at the scene.

The accident investigation unit of Durham Police has appealed for information from witnesses to the incident, which took place outside the Melrose Arms pub, shortly after 10am on Saturday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 0191-375 2159.