TWO children have been seriously injured in a crash which closed the A19 for several hours this morning.

A white car overturned not far from the A67 Crathorne junction at about 2.55am, coming to rest upside-down in a ditch.

An ambulance crew spotted the car and called for help from the fire brigade and police.

The A19 northbound between the Cleveland Tontine and the A67 Crathorne junction was closed for several hours, with traffic being diverted through Stokesley and Marton.

Two young children, both in rear car seats, were taken to hospital, a girl to James Cook University Hospital and a boy to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The driver, a man in his late 40s, was taken to James Cook University Hospital.

The front-seat passenger, a 29-year-old woman, is believed to have escaped serious injury.

Police said that a 'high volume' of traffic was diverted north via Stokesley throughout the morning.

Police collision investigators carried out a full examination of the scene as part of ongoing enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The stretch of road re-opened at 11.30am.

Witnesses to the collision or anyone who recalls seeing a white car prior to the incident, are urged to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room. Please quote reference number 12190183593.