POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 46-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash on the A19 on Thursday, October 1.

A Durham Police spokesman said: “A 46-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after his red Vauxhall Zafira left the road and collided with a tree.

“The collision occurred at approximately 1.45pm, near to the Hutton Henry turn off, on the northbound carriageway, near Peterlee.

“The police, fire service, ambulance and air ambulance all attended the scene and the man, from Middlesbrough, is currently in James Cook Hospital with what are described as life-threatening injuries.”

The road was closed for two hours while the recovery operation took place.

Anyone who witnessed this incident should contact PC Mike Fisher of Durham Constabulary's Accident Investigation Unit on 101.