THE second serious crash on a North-East road in as many days caused traffic problems this morning.

Three heavy goods vehicles were involved in an accident on the westbound carriageway of the A66, near Bowes, County Durham at about 2.45am.

It comes the day after a crash involving a coach and a lorry near Gilling West on Monday.

The accident has left a 53-year-old man fighting for his life in James Cook Memorial Hospital in Middlesbrough after sustaining chest, abdominal and pelvic injuries.

Today's collision, which happened when one vehicle collided with two others, left the drivers needing to be cut free from the wreckage.

None of the drivers were seriously injured.

The vehicles involved were a Daf tractor unit carrying boxes, a Renault tanker carrying sunflower oil and a Volvo tractor and trailer.

One lane of the carriageway was closed in the aftermath of the accident with a full closure while the damaged vehicles were recovered.

The road opened fully at about 11.10am.