A YOUNG motorist was killed today when his car left the road and smashed into a tree on a notorious stretch of the A19 near York.

The 20-year-old man, who police say comes from the York area, died when his white Peugeot 106 spun off the road south of Crockey Hill, between York and Selby.

Firefighters, who were called to the scene just after 1am today, said the impact was so great that the roof of the small car was completely torn off.

Police officers closed the road for several hours after the crash, which did not involve any other vehicles, to investigate the circumstances.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The car appeared to have spun into a tree. The impact caused the roof of the vehicle to lift off."

The tragic accident occurred as the man drove towards Selby in the early hours. Paramedics were called, but the driver was declared dead at the scene.

The A19 at Crockey Hill has been labelled an accident blackspot by road watchdogs after a series of accidents on the fast stretch of road.

In 1994 three teenage girls from York died on their way to a nightclub after the car in which they were travelling collided with an oncoming vehicle and careered into a tree. The driver, Andrew Keith, of Acomb, was sentenced to six years in jail, later reduced to four-and-a-half years by the Court of Appeal, after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

Eighteen months ago highways chiefs pledged to improve the A19 road between Selby and York after a nationwide AA report branded it a danger.

In May last year Selby vicar, the Rev Keith Jukes suffered a broken arm and facial injuries when a hearse in which he was travelling collided with a car at Crockey Hill.

Speaking after the accident the Rev Jukes said he could have died in the accident, which left him suffering severe pain and needing physiotherapy.

In the same month a motorcyclist suffered spinal injuries after colliding with a car at the A19 junction with Wheldrake Lane, Crockey Hill.

In 2001, five people were injured in a crash involving three cars outside Wrights Garage at Crockey Hill. Two of the cars were believed to have collided head-on.

Anyone who saw today's accident, or the manner in which the white Peugeot was being driven before the collision, is asked to phone York Police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:51 Thursday, May 22, 2003