ICE and snow wreaked havoc across North and East Yorkshire roads today, causing a spate of accidents for motorists struggling to get to work.

Forecasters warned that more trouble lay ahead for drivers with further wintry conditions on the way.

In the most serious of today's crashes, a man, believed to be in his 30s, was killed in a crash on the A63, near Howden. A car is believed to have turned over in the two-car collision, which happened at about 7am.

Three people were taken to York Hospital, and the road was closed while police cleared the scene.

Meanwhile, two men were taken to Scarborough Hospital with minor injuries after an accident on the Bridlington to Scarborough road shortly after 7am.

A 40-year-old woman was taken to York Hospital with chest injuries after her car hit a tree on the B1222 between Cawood and Sherburn-in-Elmet at about 7.30am.

Lorry drivers travelling on the A64 at Whitwell-on-the-Hill, near Malton, were forced to call police as they became stuck in snow.

The road was closed for nearly an hour-and-a-half as a snow plough and gritter cleared the road. Motorists were able to continue on their way at 6.45am.

Lorry drivers were also reported to be struggling though snow on the A1079 hill at Market Weighton, while the A166 at Garrowby Hill was blocked for a short time by four vehicles which had slid across the road. One person was reported to be suffering from minor injuries. The total number of minor accidents on North Yorkshire roads since midnight eventually hit 45, said police. Press officer Tony Lidgate said none of those accidents was thought to have resulted in serious injury. Conditions were said to be particularly bad on the A171 Scarborough to Whitby road.

Gareth Harvey, a forecaster at PA WeatherCentre, said: "Tonight it's going to be very icy once again with temperatures of -1C to 3C. More snow showers will be coming down from the north."

Updated: 15:01 Friday, February 27, 2004