TWO people have been taken to hospital after a taxi and a van collided on the A167 near Aycliffe.
The incident led to the road being closed and at one point there were three fire engines, three ambulances and at least half-a-dozen police cars on the scene.
It is believed at least one of the vehicles - a Skoda Octavia and a Mercedes Sprinter - may have come into contact with a stationary lorry as a result of the initial collision.
Witnesses have spoken of one of the vehicles having ended up in a ditch, but that has not been confirmed by police.
A spokeswoman for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue said the accident was reported at 8.14pm.
The scene was close to the Gretna Green pub between the B6443 Central Avenue junction and the Ricknall Lane junction.
She said two men were released from the wreckage by firefighters.
One has been taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the other to the Darlington Memorial Hospital.
The lorry and taxi involved in the accident. Pic: Stacey-Lee Davies
The police helicopter was on the scene, providing illumination. It later landed in a nearby field, before taking off again.
Around 80 people came out to watch the rescue operation.
Firefighters removed the roof of the taxi to get the occupants out.
One nearby resident said: "I heard a thud at about 8.15pm and assumed it was a car backfiring. I went up to close the blinds and just saw a sea of blue lights."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here