A MAN has been critically injured in a head-on crash.

Two others were seriously hurt in the accident at about 5am in Saddlescombe Road, north of Brighton, near its junction with Devil's Dyke Road.

The vehicles involved were a blue BMW car and a red Ford Transit van.

A 24-year-old man from London and a 23-year-old man also from London, were treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, but later released.

A 25-year-old man from London who was also in the car sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to the RSCH by the Kent, Surrey and Sussex air ambulance.

The van driver, a 54-year-old man from Horsham, sustained slight injuries for which he was treated at the scene.

Traffic logs said it was a head-on crash.

Two fire engines, one from Brighton and one from Hove, also attended.

An ambulance spokesman said there were potentially four patients.

He said: "Ambulance crews in three ambulances and two paramedic cars attended the scene along with the air ambulance.

"Three patients, including a man aged in his 20s with serious injuries, were treated before being taken by road to the Royal Sussex County Hospital."

Police told motorists to avoid the area due to road closures.

Officers ask anyone who may have seen the collision or who saw either vehicle being driven shortly before it occurred to email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting Operation Ronaldo.