THREE casualties were airlifted to hospital after a two-vehicle smash near York that left one man fighting for his life.

The accident happened at 11.40am yesterday, when a motorist lost control of his car on the A1079 at Wilberfoss and veered into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

There was severe disruption to traffic as police closed the road in both directions for more than five hours to carry out investigations and recover the vehicles.

Sergeant Martin Moore, of Humberside Traffic Police, said: "The collision involved a Nissan Almera and a Ford Focus. One vehicle has for unknown reasons lost control and crossed the carriageway and there was a collision with an oncoming vehicle.

"All three occupants were trapped and had to be released by fire crews."

A 68-year-old man was flown to Leeds General Infirmary by Yorkshire Air Ambulance with multiple, life-threatening injuries.

He was travelling in the Nissan Almera and is believed to live in the local area.

An RAF Sea King helicopter was also called on to assist with casualties and arrived at the scene shortly after 12.30pm. Squadron Leader Christopher Mace, of RAF Leconfield, said: "We recovered two casualties - a male and a female - who were both on stretchers."

The woman is believed to have serious, but non-life threatening injuries, and was also travelling in the Nissan Almera. The male casualty was travelling in the Ford Focus.