A LORRY driver has died in hospital after a crash in County Durham.

His vehicle left the A1(M) on Wednesday afternoon.

"Frank Burton, who was 64 and from the Fenham area of Newcastle was driving his DAF truck northbound on the motorway when it left the road to the nearside and went down an embankment," said a spokesman for Durham Police.

The accident happened between Newton Aycliffe and Bradbury - junctions 59 and 60 of the A1.

"It’s thought Mr Burton was taken ill at the wheel and he was given emergency first aid initially by police officers and then paramedics, before being taken to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough," said the spokesman.

"However, last night he died without regaining consciousness. A formal cause of death is to be established and the coroner for Cleveland has been informed."