AN 18-year-old driver was airlifted to hospital after a two-car accident yesterday.

The driver, from Newcastle, was cut from her Hyundai Accent by firefighters and taken to Newcastle General Hospital.

She suffered facial, neck and spine injuries in the accident, in Dipton, County Durham, but they are not thought to be life-threatening.

Her 16-year-old brother suffered internal injuries and was taken by ambulance to Durham's University Hospital.

A 50-year-old man from Blackhill, Consett, County Durham, was also taken to the hospital. He is believed to have suffered chest injuries caused by the airbag in his Nissan Almera.

The incident took place at 8.30am in Ewehurst Road, outside Mountsett Garage. Both vehicles were badly damaged.