THREE people were taken to hospital after the car they were traveling in left the road and overturned on the A68, near Burtree, Darlington, at about 7.45am yesterday.

The accident seriously disrupted morning rush hour traffic, because the dual carriageway was closed for 90 minutes.

It is believed the car skidded on ice and hit the kerb before overturning.

The 21-year-old driver of the Ford Escort suffered head and chest injuries. A female rear seat passenger, aged 18, received chest, leg and back injuries. The injuries were said to be serious but not life-threatening.

A woman front seat passenger escaped with cuts and bruises. All three, who were from Bishop Auckland, were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

Two of the people in the car were trapped and had to be released by firefighters