POLICE have released the identity of a 23-year-old man who died after two cars and a taxi collided near a viaduct yesterday morning (Sunday, December 14).

Kieran Arkless was driving his Ford Focus on the A689 Toronto bypass when the accident occurred near the Newton Cap viaduct in Bishop Auckland shortly before 12.30am.

As the Focus rounded a nearside bend, it collided head-on with a Skoda Octavia taxi travelling in the opposite direction.

An Audi A4 travelling towards Bishop Auckland then collided with the aftermath of the initial collision.

Mr Arkless, who is originally from Willington, near Crook, but had recently moved to Bishop Auckland, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The taxi driver, a 47-year-old man also from Willington, was taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with serious internal injuries.

His condition this morning (Monday, December 15) was described as critical but stable.

The Audi A4 contained two passengers, aged 41 and 30, as well as the driver, a 30-year-old man from Bishop Auckland.

None were seriously hurt but all three went to Darlington Memorial Hospital as a precaution.

Durham Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact the investigating officer, PC Peter Taylor or the road policing unit via 101.