A19 crash: Four people taken to hospital following serious collision

The A19 was closed in County Durham following a serious crash involving five vehicles.

The North East Highways Agency said the road was closed in both directions in both directions between Peterlee and Easington.

The crash happened near Easington services just before 8am on Tuesday, 18 October.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: "It is believed a silver Ford Transit van has been travelling north when it struck a white Ford Transit van travelling in the same direction. 

"The silver Ford Transit has then collided with the central reservation and gone over the safety barrier, onto the southbound carriageway, where three further collisions have taken place."

All lanes have now reopened following major delays.

Four people have been taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We received a call shortly before 8am this morning to reports of a five vehicle road traffic collision on the A19 southbound. 

"We sent two Hazardous Area Response Teams, a clinical team leader and three emergency ambulance crews and transported four patients to Sunderland Royal Hospital for further treatment."

Durham Police said several people suffered minor injuries and one woman was taken to the Sunderland Royal Hospital for treatment.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service was also called.

A spokesperson said its team had provided critical care at the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Several people have already come forward, however, anyone else who has any information or dashcam footage is asked to email peter.tate@durham.police.uk, quoting incident reference 56 of October 18.

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