TWO men were killed and a third was injured in a car crash on a North Yorkshire road.

The crash happened on the A61 Ripon Road near South Stainley, and saw a Peugeot 205 GTI, heading towards Ripon, collide with an Audi heading in the opposite direction.

The driver and passenger of the GTI both died.

They are thought to be aged in their early 20s and from the Harrogate area.

The Audi driver, who is believed to be aged 53 and from Leeds, was taken to Harrogate District Hospital with "serious" pelvic and chest injuries.

The road was closed for several hours after last night's (Tues) crash, which happened at 9.20pm, while police accident investigators worked at the scene.

Any witnesses are asked to ring Harrogate Police on 01423 539474. Police say they would particularly like to speak to the driver of a blue lorry carrying straw, which stopped at the scene.

Also yesterday, Yorkshire's air ambulance was called out for the second day running after two cars collided on the B1257, two miles south of Helmsley.

One elderly man was airlifted to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, and three others were taken to the hospital by road after the crash, which happened at around 1.45pm.

Jo Thorne, from Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said the air ambulance was called out as a precaution.

She said: "At the time of the call it was thought they were seriously hurt."

The four people, at least two of whom are thought to be local, were shaken and shocked with cuts and bruises.

The road was closed for almost two hours and diversions were put in place.

The air ambulance was called out on Monday when a car went out of control and was in collision with a tractor and trailer turning right out of a field.

Terence and Joan Bentley and their daughter Joanne were taken to York District Hospital where their condition was today (WEDS) described as "comfortable." The accident happened on a minor road outside Rosedale, north of Pickering.

Updated: 09:15 Wednesday, June 26, 2002