POLICE have appealed for information after a woman was seriously injured when a bus and car collided in Seaham.

The collision, between a white Hyundai i10 hatchback and a 30 seater Go North East bus,  happened at about 1.50pm on the A182 road between the A19 and the Spectrum Business Park, in Seaham.

The driver of the car, a 36-year-old woman from Seaham, was travelling with her three children aged 10, seven and two when the collision occured.

The Great North Air Ambulance (GNASS) was called to the scene to help paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS).

Firefighters from Seaham fire station used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the driver from the car while the three children were released by ambulance crews.

"GNAAS were on scene in four minutes," said an air ambulance spokesman.

"Two children were airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by GNAAS staff and one adult was taken by road with GNAAS staff and NEAS staff.

"The other child was taken by road with NEAS staff. All patients had suspected serious injuries."

The mother was treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries and the children for minor injuries.

Two passengers on board the Go North East bus were taken to hospital where they were treated for minor injuries, while a further six passengers were injured but without requiring hospital treatment.

The bus driver was not injured.

The road was closed for three hours following the crash to allow for vehicle recovery and collision investigation activity. 

PC Ian Cousins from the roads policing unit said “I am keen to hear from anyone who saw the collision or either of the vehicles mentioned in the time leading up to the crash.”

Anyone with information should contact the collision investigation unit on 0191 375 2159.