POLICE are today hunting the driver of a car which drove away from the scene of a major crash.

William Stevens, a 19-year-old Reading University student, is fighting for his life after being cut free from the wreckage by firefighters. Five other people were hurt in the accident while one passenger escaped unharmed.

The crash took place on the A4074 at Woodcote on Saturday morning and police believe three cars were involved although only two, a red Peugeot 406 and a white Rover Maestro, were at the scene when they arrived.

They are appealing urgently for the driver of the third white car, believed to be a white, middle-aged man, to come forward. They also want to hear from anybody else who saw the crash. A police spokesman said it was thought that the unidentified car had pulled out of the Red Lane junction at Woodcote on to the A4074. The driver of the Peugeot lost control as he tried to avoid the car pulling out and went into the Maestro which was coming in the opposite direction.

Mr Stevens, a rear seat passenger in the Peugeot, was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading after the accident, where his condition was described as life- threatening yesterday.

Five ambulances, an emergency doctor, police and firefighters were called to the junction after receiving reports that two people were trapped in separate cars. Another four, including a young boy and elderly woman, were found injured by the side of the road.

Pc Mike Pollard, of Thames Valley police, said: "This was a serious accident in which several people were injured.

"I would like anyone who witnessed the accident or can help in any way to contact me, in particular the driver of the white car." Passenger Timothy Humphreys was also taken to the Royal Berkshire with less serious injuries.

The driver of the Maestro, Mr Leonard Hines, of Berinsfield, was kept overnight at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with minor head injuries. Mr Ross Ward, 18, of Newmarket, who was driving the Peugeot, and two other passengers, also went to the John Radcliffe but were not badly hurt.

A woman was also trapped in the Maestro and after she had been cut free, she was one of the four people taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Fire crews from Wallingford, Goring and Kidlington were sent to the scene.

Assistant Divisional Officer Pat Rosam said: "That road is quite notorious for traffic accidents. It's a fast stretch of road."

The A4074 was closed to traffic for two hours on Saturday after the accident, with diversions in place.

Pc Pollard can be contacted on 0118-953 6653.

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