A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries today after a collision that closed Newton Cap viaduct in Bishop Auckland for over an hour.

The accident happened at 8.45am on the Toronto side of the bypass when a Rover car hit the rear of another vehicle.

The female passenger in the back of the hit car was flown to the University Hospital of James Cook in Middlesbrough with shoulder and neck injuries.

The female driver of the Rover was taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital with minor injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call Bishop Auckland police on 0845-60-60-365.