A YORK teenager seriously injured when his car smashed into a York village wall and caught fire was fighting for his life in hospital today.

David Coxon, 18, of York, who was driving a red Vauxhall Corsa, was transferred from York to Leeds General Infirmary following the accident, which happened in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He was rescued by a resident who used a fire extinguisher to fight the flames and firefighters using cutting equipment when he became trapped in the car at about 3am on Saturday.

Passenger Zoe Parkes, 21, suffered serious injuries when she was thrown from the car and was continuing to receive treatment at York Hospital today.

The accident happened when the Corsa collided with a blue Ford Escort as both vehicles travelled towards Haxby.

Paramedics also treated three other young men - Craig Leeming, 17, Wayne Leeming, and Shaun Illingworth - at the scene of the crash.

A York Police spokesman said a fourth man, whose name was not known, is believed to have been driving the Ford Escort. He left the scene after the crash.

He added that both cars were registered locally, and all six people were from the York area.

The Corsa was previously seen travelling on the B1363 York to Helmsley road, and police have asked anyone who saw it to contact them by calling 01904 631321.

Updated: 11:35 Monday, September 22, 2003