Emergency services were called to a car crash on Ditchling Beacon, north of Brighton, this morning (Friday).

A car left Ditchling Road and collided with a tree at about 11am. Two people were reported to be trapped and unconscious.

Police closed the road at its junction with Coldean Lane and the A27, and at Nye Lane, Ditchling. The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance was called and landed close to the scene at 11.28am.

A spokesman from Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance said: "Both patients were given emergency treatment at the scene by Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance’s paramedic and doctor teams before being taken by land ambulance to the Royal Sussex, accompanied by the helicopters’ medics."

Sussex Police said the pair remain critically ill in hospital.

Anyone who saw what happened or who has other information is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting Operation Stratford.