A MOTORIST was thrown from his car after it collided with a lamp standard on a dual carriageway.

The man, in his 20s, suffered a suspected broken arm and internal injuries, described as, "not life threatening", in the accident on the northern outskirts Durham, at about 8pm last night.

He was catapulted from the back window of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution on impact with the lamp stand, on the central reservation of the A167, near Pity Me.

A female passenger, also in her 20s, suffered slight head injuries, while a baby boy aged about eight or nine months, was said to be unhurt.

Police said it is believed the driver was not wearing a seat belt, while the baby was strapped in his child safety seat in the back of the vehicle.

All three were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham after being attended by paramedics at the scene.

The southbound stretch of the A167, between the Red Lion junction, at Plawsworth, and the Pity Me roundabout, remained closed for two hours while the debris was removed and accident scene measurements were taken by police.

A police spokesman said it appears that the Mitsubishi driver was attempting an overtaking manoeuvre on the southbound carriageway of the A167 when the vehicle skidded and struck the lamp standard.

The other vehicle involved, a Toyota MR2, was not damaged and the male driver was unhurt.

12:13pm Saturday 17th May 2008

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