A FIVE-YEAR old boy and his mother are among three people fighting for their lives after a horror road crash near Shildon last night.

Six people were hurt in the crash between a Mazda car and a Seat Cordoba at crossroads on Eldon Bank just before 8pm.

The Seat driver, a 22-year-old woman from Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham, suffered extensive injuries and was detained in Darlington Memorial Hospital. Her condition is described as critical.

Her partner, 24, who was in the front seat, suffered several fractured ribs and is in the University Hospital of North Durham.

The couple's five-year-old son, who was in the rear seat, suffered neck and chest injuries. He is currently in the UHND and his condition is described as critical.

The Mazda driver, a man, aged 17, of Bishop Auckland, suffered a minor injury and was detained for observation in the UHND.

The front seat passenger, a man aged 32 from of Bishop Auckland, suffered head and neck injuries and is also said to be critically ill in the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

The rear passenger, a woman, 40, also of Bishop Auckland, was detained overnight in the UHND with a broken right wrist and a back injury.

Police said the accident happened at the junction with Eldon Bank.

The road was closed for four hours while an investigation into the crash was started.

Witnesses are urged to contact Durham Constabulary's Road Policing Unit on 0191-3752159.