A MAN is seriously ill in hospital after a smash on a country road.

His red Vauxhall Astra was in collision with a silver Vauxhall Vectra at the junction of Huddersfield Road and Falledge Lane, Ingbirchworth, at 4.45pm on Friday.

The Astra then careered into a dry stone wall.

The 27-year-old Astra driver, from Halifax, was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with serious head injuries. His condition was not known this morning.

A passenger in the car was unhurt.

The Vectra driver, a 34-year-old man from the High Green area of Sheffield, was also unhurt.

Police today appealed for information from two other drivers who are thought to have seen what happened.

One was driving a small silver and blue car and the other drove a silver and blue Volvo estate.

The road was shut for three hours after the smash for a full police investigation.

Anyone who saw the crash, or the Astra being driven before it, should phone South Yorkshire Police's accident witness helpline on 0114 220 2970.

* A biker escaped serious injury in a crash at New Mill.

His yellow Suzuki was in collision with a blue Toyota Avensis on New Mill Road at 9.35am yesterday.

The man was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.