THREE serious road accidents in the region over the weekend have left two men dead and two more fighting for their lives.

The two men were killed when the blue Ford Fiesta they were travelling in was involved in a crash with a silver Seat on the A64 York to Scarborough road, in North Yorkshire.

The accident happened at about 5pm on Friday, as the Fiesta was travelling eastwards, towards Scarborough.

Martin Blaney, 21, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was certified dead at the scene of the crash, at the Welbury crossroads, west of Malton. Adam Smeddon, 18, also from Doncaster, died later in York District Hospital.

Phillip Button, from Leeds, who was the driver of the Seat, was taken to hospital and later discharged. The road was closed for four-and-a-half hours.

Terence Taylor, 47, from Borrowby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, remained in a critical condition last night in the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, after his white Ford Escort van collided with a white Mazda van on the southbound carriageway of the A19 at Knayton, near Thirsk, at 6pm on Friday.

Police believe the Escort van may have cut across the path of the Mazda van as both vehicles travelled south on the dual carriageway, but they are appealing for witnesses. The driver of the Mazda van suffered minor injuries.

A third accident happened at 3.30am on Sunday when a Citroen Saxo crashed on the B6265 Boroughbridge road, near the Blackamoor pub, near Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The two men in the car were taken to Harrogate District Hospital. One of them was described as in a critical condition, but was thought to be improving last night.

Anyone who saw any of the accidents or the vehicles beforehand should contact police on (01609) 783131.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw the blue Fiesta prior to the accident. Witnesses can contact police on (01609) 789212.