POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a rush-hour accident which led to a city's central motorway being closed for three hours yesterday.

The accident happened when a Ford Escort hit the central reservation near the Swan House roundabout, Newcastle, just before 6am.

Shortly afterwards, a Rover car went into the back of another vehicle, which had stopped at the scene.

The Escort driver suffered serious head and leg injuries and was taken to Newcastle General Hospital.

Witnesses to the accident are asked to call Northumbria Police motor patrols north on 0191-214 6555.