FOUR people were taken to hospital – two of them seriously injured – following a crash between Durham and Stanley.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "There was a two-vehicle collision on the crossroads in Edmondsley involving a Hyundai and Mitsubishi. We were alerted at 11.43am (on Wednesday)."

Police, ambulance and the fire brigade attended the accident at the junction of the B6532 and Waldridge Road.

A North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) spokesperson said: "We received a call at 11.40am to reports of an accident in the Edmondsley. We dispatched four ambulances, three Hazardous Area Response teams and two senior paramedics.

"Two patients were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham with minor injuries. Two patients were taken to the major trauma unit at the Royal Victoria University in Newcastle with serious injuries."

A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: "Two fire appliances attended the scene – one from High Handenhold and one from Durham.

"We also sent one special rescue unit from Bishop Auckland.

"We safely rescued a female from one of the cars."

The road was closed for several hours, while police investigations were carried out.