A young man is in critical condition after he was seriously injured in a traffic accident in Kappuccini Street, Victoria, early this morning, the police said.

An 18-year-old of Kercem was driving his Honda in the direction of Marsalforn when he lost control of the vehicle, which hit a central strip and crashed into a tree, ending up upside down.

The driver and two passengers, aged 17 and 18 from Kercem and Xewkija, were all taken to hospital, with the 17-year-old found to be in critical condition. The other two youths were slightly injured.

Magistrate Joanne Vella Cuschieri ordered an inquiry.