A PENSIONER has been killed in a Boxing Day tragedy after a collision involving three cars in a 50mph speed zone on the A1.

The 72-year-old man from Darlington was driving a red Ford Focus at 7.40am on the southbound A1 at Junction 56 - between Barton and Scotch Corner - when he was involved in the accident with a silver Peugeot 206 and a black Nissan Qashqai.

The two passengers of the Ford Focus and occupants in both other cars were uninjured.

Traffic was diverted through Darlington, causing massive delays and tailbacks through the town, as the A1 was closed for around eight hours until it re-opened at 3.30pm.

The 50mph speed limit is in place between Leeming Bar and Barton – just beyond Junction 56 – for A1 improvement works to bring the trunk road up to motorway standard in an effort to improve safety.

Durham Police’s roads policing unit stepped up to support their North Yorkshire colleagues by closing access to the A1 southbound at junction 58 and diverting traffic through Darlington. 

Road users reported heavy traffic through the town, particularly on West Auckland Road, which was taking a long time to clear, although police said there were no reports of serious delays beyond what would normally be expected during a diversion. 

Officers had advised motorists on social media networks to avoid the motorway and the diversion route if at all possible.

A North Yorkshire Police officer tweeted: "Avoid if at all possible. Road closed for foreseeable".

The A66(M) spur road towards the A1 southbound was also closed to traffic for several hours.

The A1 southbound was a route many Newcastle United fans visiting Old Trafford for the afternoon's game against Manchester United would have used.

North Yorkshire Police are urging anyone who may have seen the red Ford Focus before the incident to contact them with information.

Dial 101, press option 1 and pass any information to the control room using the reference number NYP-26122014-0048. 

Alternatively you can email Road Police Group Officer Chris Graham-Marlow at chris.graham-marlow@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.