TWO women killed in a multiple crash on a trans-Pennine road in the North-East at the weekend were both from the North-West, police have confirmed.

Karen Gell, 50, from Greater Manchester, and 69-year-old Ann Marie Dewhurst, known as Marie, from the Preston area, have been named as the two deceased in the accident, on the eastbound carriageway of the A69, near the Melkridge junction, between Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill, on Saturday (September 3), shortly before 10am.

At least four vehicles were involved in the pile-up, which resulted in the road being closed in both directions until Saturday night.

Two other casualties from the collision remain in hospital, one said to be in a critical, but stable condition, and the other with serious, but not life threatening injuries.

Six other people who were taken to hospital from the accident are said to be recovering from various injuries suffered in the pile-up, at home.

Northumbria Police accident investigators are still keen to speak to anyone who may have witnesses the incident.

They are asked to ring the 101 line, quoting reference 348 03/09/16.