Emergency services have rushed five people to hospital following a massive crash on the A1 this morning as multiple police cars were involved in a horror crash.
The collision took place at around 2.30am on the northbound carriageway near Denton, Newcastle. Dramatic pictures taken at the scene show four damaged marked police vehicles and an unmarked police car flipped on its side, with debris scattered across the road. Another vehicle can be seen just in front of the marked police vehicles and is believed to be a civilian BMW. National Highways said the road between junctions 73 and 75 will likely have to remain closed beyond rush hour, with motorists asked to follow diversions.
Did you see what happened? Get in touch with us at newsdesk@mirror.co.uk
Haunting footage and pictures taken at the scene show the twisted wreckage of a number of cars stretched across the A1’s three lanes, some of which have been severely damaged, as police set up an investigation scene.
A haunting video taken by bystander Cameron Howlett showed the cars were scattered over a significant distance, with service vehicles seen on standby at a nearby overpass.
Significant congestion has built up in the area, with traffic monitoring services showing queues stretching back from the crash site to junction 70. National Highways said in a statement that Northumbria Police has launched an investigation into the incident, with the service reportedly advising inquiries would be “protracted”.
The organisation said: “The A1 in Tyne and Wear is closed in both directions between J73 (Swalwell) and J75 (Denton) due to a serious collision. A multi-vehicle collision resulting in serious injuries occurred at approximately 0230 this morning (Wednesday 9th April).
“Due to the severity of the collision a full Northumbria Police investigation is underway and they advise that it will be protracted. The road is expected to remain closed in both directions in to the afternoon of Wednesday 9th April.”
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said in a statement that diversions have been placed at the scene following a “multi-vehicle collision”.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 2:30am today we received a report of a multi-vehicle collision on the A1 northbound near the Derwent Haugh Road junction, Gateshead. Emergency services are currently in attendance. A section of the road is closed in both directions – there are diversions in place from the Derwent Haugh Road junction northbound, and the A69 roundabout southbound.
“Motorists should use alternative routes where possible.” National Highways said in its statement that anyone planning to travel down the stretch of road this morning should plan ahead. The service added that even local roads in the vicinity are “heavily congested” with the A19 also suffering major delays.
The statement continued: “There is no official diversion route for this section of the A1. As such road users are urged to plan their route in ahead using alternative roads.
“There are currently significant delays reported on approach to the closure in both directions. Local roads in the vicinity are heavily congested. The A19 to the east of Newcastle is heavily congested also as traffic from further afield is using it as an alternative to the A1.”
Get email updates with the day’s biggest stories
