A WOMAN has died in a three-car crash.

The 52-year-old was killed and an 18-year-old youth left in a critical condition in hospital following the smash in Ayrshire.

The woman was the passenger in a car being driven by a 64-year-old man who is now in hospital.

The tragedy happened when two cars collided head on while a third vehicle swerved to avoid the crash and overturned by the side of the B769 near Stewarton.

Two 18-year-old youths were travelling southbound in a Vauxhall Corsa when they collided with a northbound Peugeot 206 carrying the 64-year-old male driver and his female passenger.

The woman died at the scene while the Peugeot driver was taken to Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, where his condition was described as stable.

The passenger in the Corsa is in a critical condition in the same hospital with head and shoulder injuries, while the driver is said to be "stable" with shoulder and arm injuries.

A third 18-year-old youth was driving a Fiat 500 behind the Corsa. He swerved to avoid the crash and overturned. However, he suffered only an arm injury and was discharged from Crosshouse shortly after treatment.

A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash, which happened about 6.35pm on Sunday,

Inspector Drew Robertson, of the road policing department in Irvine, is appealing for any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information that may assist his inquiries, to call police on 101.

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk