A VAN driver suffered serious head injuries after he was trapped in his van following a collision on the A19.

The incident involved the man's white van and a 16 tonne lorry near Thirsk, North Yorkshire this morning.

The injured man was cut free by firefighters and taken by air ambulance to the James Cook Hospital, Middlesborough.

The crash took place at 9.25am today on the northbound A19 near the Borrowby junction with Gate Lane Bridge.

The male driver of the 16 tonne lorry involved in the crash is not thought to have been injured.

The collision has closed the northbound A19 with the road not expected to reopen for several hours.

The southbound A19 remains open and diversions are in place for northbound drivers.

Anyone who can help the police with their enquiries should call Traffic Constable Roger Walker on 0845-6060-247.

Drivers in the area faced further disruption as flooding caused the closure of the A19 between Fulford Interchange and Fordlands Road, in York.