A motorcyclist has been killed after hitting a deer and another man has died in a highspeed collision following a weekend of serious accidents.

One smash happened on Friday night and one on Saturday.

Two others are in hospital this morning suffering from life-threatening injuries.

The motorcyclist died after hitting a deer on the A24 between the Hop Oast roundabout and the Broadbridge Heath fly-over, near Horsham.

The rider, who has not been named, the dead animal and the bike struck several other vehicles on the road following the smash, police said.

One ambulance and a police helicopter attended the accident at 10.20pm on Friday but the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured.

In a second accident the driver of a VW Passat was in collision with a Ford Escort on Rocky Lane, Haywards Heath, at 5.15pm on Saturday.

Firefighters had to cut open both cars to release the drivers, both of whom were from Haywards Heath.

The driver of the Passat was taken by ambulance to the Princess Royal Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Escort driver, suffering from multiple fractures and internal injuries, was taken by helicopter to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Last night his condition was described as critical.

Emergency services also attended a three-vehicle smash in Crawley, on Friday night.

Police said a blue van travelling south on Balcombe Road and a silver van travelling in the opposite direction collided.

Witnesses said the silver van then hit a third vehicle before bursting into flames.

Members of the public helped rescue the drivers from both vehicles.

The driver of the silver van was then taken by helicopter to East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, where he was described as suffering potentially life-threatening injuries.

Police are appealing witnesses to call 0845 6070999.