A WOMAN has taken to hospital with serious injuries on Sunday night after a two-car crash on the A66 near the Smallways junction.

Firefighters cut the woman from her white Audi after the crash, which happened at around 11.45pm, using hydraulic equipment to remove the side of the car to free her.

She was taken by road ambulance to James Cook University Hospital, and a man from the other car involved was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with less serious injuries.

Police closed the road in both directions for several hours before re-opening the westbound carriageway, but continued with investigations on the eastbound carriageway.

A police spokesman said the white Audi had crashed into the central reservation, and it is believed the driver was from the Durham area. 

The road was fully re-opened at around 2am. 

Anyone who witnesses the crash, or who saw the white Audi in the moments before the collision, can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number NYP-2509-2016-0574.