A MOTHER and her two sons were injured after a stolen van driven by a teenager lost control and ploughed into their family saloon.

The 36-year-old woman, who has not been named, sustained what police described as serious injuries in the head-on collision.

Her condition was said not to be life-threatening last night.

The accident happened in Lizard Lane, Whitburn, South Shields, at about 1.40pm on Sunday.

A Peugeot 205 van driven by a 16-year-old youth, went out of control on the brow of a hill and collided with the family's VW Golf.

The woman driver, from Whitburn, suffered severe injuries and underwent emergency surgery.

Her two sons, aged eight and 12, were also taken to South Tyneside General Hospital.

The younger child was released after treatment for a broken rib, but the older child was detained for treatment for rib and collarbone fractures.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "A report was received of a serious injury collision involving two vehicles, one of which was a stolen vehicle. "The collision occurred when the Peugeot, travelling northbound on Lizard Lane, apparently at speed, approached the brow of a hill.

"For reasons yet to be established, it has gone out of control and collided head-on with the other vehicle travelling in the opposite direction."

Fire crews from Sunderland Central and South Shields fire stations had to use hydraulic cutting equipment to release the van driver.

The youth, who is from South Tyneside, was airlifted to South Tyneside District Hospital with chest injuries and later transferred to Newcastle General Hospital.

Three other males in the van, aged 17, 20 and 21, also from South Tyneside, needed hospital treatment for injuries ranging from a broken hip to a neck injury.

The driver and two of the passengers were in police custody last night, awaiting questioning. The third passenger is still recovering in hospital.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision to contact them on 0191-454 7555, extension 66391.