A MAN remained in a critical condition last night after a car accident in which his wife died.

Yvonne Veronica Hodgson died when the car she was in went off the A167 near Chilton, County Durham, and hit a tree late on Wednesday night.

The 48-year-old, of Ramsey Drive, Ferryhill, County Durham, died at the scene.

Her 59-year-old husband, Martin, who was driving the car, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital's intensive care unit, where he is fighting for his life.

The couple, who have a son, Michael, 30, and daughter, Nicola, 28, were travelling south towards Newton Aycliffe shortly before 11pm when the accident took place.

Their car left the road about half-a-mile south of the Rushyford roundabout, at the junction with the A689, mounted the footpath and crossed a grass verge before it hit a large tree.

They were trapped in their black Ford Mondeo and had to be freed by firefighters.

Police closed the road for four hours while investigators examined the scene and cleared the site.

Witnesses are asked to call police on 0191-375 2159.