Six injured in head-on collision on the A23 at Patcham

Six people have been injured, three seriously, in a head-on collision between two cars near Brighton.

A Renault Clio containing five women was in collision with a Vauxhall Astra driving in the opposite direction on the A23 at Patcham just after midnight.

Sussex Police said the vehicles also collided with two parked cars near the Black Lion Hotel.

Four of the injured had to be cut free from the vehicles by fire crews. Two 19-year-olds are in intensive care.

The force has appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash to contact officers.

The Vauxhall Astra was being driven by a 26-year-old man from Brighton, while the Clio was being driven by a 19-year-old woman from Worthing.

Three passengers in the Clio, all aged 19, suffered serious injuries.

The fourth passenger, a 17-year-old from Lindfield, had minor injuries.

Officers said the road was closed for just under five hours while investigations took place.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "A 19-year-old passenger in the Renault Clio from Newhaven who broke a leg is in a serious but stable condition.

"A 19-year-old passenger in the Clio from Rustington who suffered leg and pelvic injuries and a 19-year-old passenger in the Clio from Portslade who broke a hand and her pelvis both remain in a serious condition in intensive care."