A MAN was transferred to a specialist intensive care unit yesterday following a road accident.

The 48-year-old, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was in a stable condition last night in the neurology unit of Middlesbrough General Hospital.

He was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle which collided with a Vauxhall Astra car on the A181 road at Wingate, East Durham, at 5.30pm on Tuesday.

He was treated at Hartlepool General Hospital for serious head and pelvic injuries before being transferred.

Police said the accident appeared to have happened when the car emerged from a junction on to the A181.

The Astra driver, a 32-year-old Darlington man, suffered minor cuts to his face.

His 64-year-old male passenger, also from Darlington, suffered shock, and both men were treated at Hartlepool General.

The road was closed for about two hours while emergency services were at the scene.

Anyone witnesses are urged to call Durham Police's accident investigation unit on 0191-386 4929.