A DRIVER has died after losing control as he tried to overtake.

The unnamed 47-year-old was cut free from his car after the crash on Thursday night and was rushed to hospital, but later died of his injuries.

The accident happened at 8.35pm on Lintzford Road, in Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead.

The driver was travelling north in a Daewoo Lanos towards Tyneside and overtook two other vehicles heading in the same direction when, for reasons which are still to be established, it struck the kerb.

The driver lost control and veered back across the carriageway, colliding with a sign and then crashing through a wooden fence and down an embankment.

The driver was trapped following the crash, pinned between the seat and the frame of the car.

Three fire crews were called to the scene - two from Swalwell station and one from Chopwell.

The driver was cut free and taken to Newcastle General Hospital in the air ambulance, which had landed in a nearby field, but he died shortly after arrival.

No one else was injured in the accident, although the road was closed for four hours.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to ring police on 0191-221 9540.