FIVE young men were taken to hospital in the early hours of this morning after their car crashed off the A19, hit two trees and rolled into a field.

One of the men is believed to be seriously injured.

North Yorkshire Police said the black Renault Clio left the northbound carriageway of the A19 one mile north of South Kilvington, near Thirsk at 12.10am.

It collided with a fence and trees and rolled several times before coming to a rest in a field.

Four of the men managed to free themselves from the wreckage, but one had to cut out by fire crews, who removed the roof of the car.

All five were taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said one of the men is very seriously injured.

The road was closed for several hours while police investigated the crash. No other vehicles were involved.

Officers are now appealing for any witnesses to the crash, or anyone who saw the black Clio before the incident, to contact them on 0845-6060247.