THE Easter weekend death toll on Selby area roads rose to three when a woman died early today in York District Hospital.

The woman was the latest victim in a weekend of carnage which saw two young men from Thorpe Willoughby also killed in a road accident.

They were named today as Wayne Thomas Gardner, 19, a technician, of Meadow Drive, Thorpe Willoughby, and Jonathan Neil Stead, 20, a warehouse operative, of nearby Willow Rise.

Both men, understood to be close friends, were declared dead at the scene of the accident, on the A63 just outside Hambleton.

They were travelling in a red J-registered Vauxhall Astra when it left the road between 10.30pm and 11.05pm on Sunday.

Police said the driver lost control on a left-hand bend. The Astra left the road on the offside and came to rest in an adjacent field.

A police spokesman said both men were thrown from the car as it left the A63.

The name of the woman who died early today has not yet been released by police.

She was involved in road accident at the junction of Riccall village and the A19 at about 8pm yesterday.

She was driving a dark blue Mitsubishi Colt travelling from the direction of Riccall when it was in collision with a silver Ford Escort.

The male driver of the Escort, together with his male passenger, were also taken to York District Hospital. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Villagers campaigned for traffic calming measures, including a mini roundabout, at the junction after a woman was killed at exactly the same spot in December 2000.

Mother-of-four Ann Robson, 62, wife of former Selby GP Dr Alan Robson, was killed instantly when their VW Passat collided with a Ford Sierra.

Police are appealing for witnesses to both accidents. Anyone with information should contact the road traffic group at Tadcaster on 01904 669727 or 01904 631321.

Updated: 15:50 Tuesday, April 02, 2002