A MAN died and a second was seriously hurt in two road accidents that brought chaos to rush-hour traffic in York.

Motorists faced huge delays after today's crash, which claimed the life of a 25-year-old man from New Earswick.

The man died after his car veered across Foss Islands Road, mounted the kerb, went up a grass verge and smashed into a tree.

Drivers were also badly affected by a crash which closed the A19 last night after a seriously-injured lorry driver was trapped beneath the cab of his overturned HGV.

Today's accident, which happened at about 5.45am, forced the closure of part of York's inner ring road, between the Walmgate Bar junction and Navigation Road, and by 8am there were substantial delays for motorists heading into the city from the A19.

Traffic was backed up in both directions along the inner ring road as vehicles were diverted along Navigation Road and down Hull Road. Commuters heading for the ring road along Cemetery Road also suffered delays.

Sergeant Ian Butler, of North Yorkshire Police, told the Evening Press he did not expect the road to be cleared until at least 10am.

He said officers did not know how the victim's gold Vauxhall Cavalier came to leave Foss Islands Road, and appealed for anyone who saw the crash to phone TC Dave Taylor on (01904) 669727. Last night, serious traffic disruption was caused on the A19 after an articulated lorry overturned while negotiating a roundabout.

The road was shut off for several hours near the entrance to the McArthur Glen designer outlet as the truck was cleared along with its load of huge rolls of paper.

Northbound traffic was rerouted on to the A64 through Copmanthorpe. A York Police spokeswoman said traffic was very congested on the A64 and up the A19 towards Selby at rush hour yesterday. The road was eventually cleared at 6.45pm.

Police said the accident happened at 12.40pm yesterday as the truck turned into a roundabout from Selby towards York.

The driver of the wagon, Les Clarke, 53, of Valley Bridge Parade, Scarborough, was trapped for more than an hour under his cab.

He was taken to York Hospital suffering from serious leg, pelvic and back injuries and was said today to be in a stable condition.

Firefighters used high-pressure bags to free Mr Clarke as paramedics administered first aid.

Five fire crews from York, Acomb and Tadcaster attended the incident, along with several police officers and paramedics.

Sub-officer Paul Williams said it was a very delicate operation to free the man, but he was conscious throughout.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to phone York Police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 10:35 Friday, September 03, 2004