SIX people were injured – two seriously – in an accident involving a heavy goods vehicle and three vehicles this morning.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash in Waldridge Road, Chester-le-Street, at about 8.50am.

A Durham Police spokesman said: “A black Mercedez-Benz C220 and a Chevrolet Spark have collided near the railway bridge.

“The Mercedez has then gone on to collide with an oncoming MAN heavy goods vehicle, while a Suzuki Swift has been caught up in the aftermath.

“The 72-year-old male driver of the Mercedez, who is from the Chester-le-Street area, suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVI), in Newcastle.

“A female passenger in the car had minor injuries and was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.”

“An 87-year-old woman passenger in the Chevrolet was taken to hospital the RVI with a serious chest injury.

"A male occupant of the ~Suzuki Swift suffered minor injuries."

A spokesman for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted to the accident between a seven-tonne lorry and three vehicles by members of the North East Ambulance Service.

“There were initial reports of one person having a seizure.

“Crews from High Handenhold and Consett attended the scene. A male adult driver of the HGV was released before our arrival. He had minor injuries.

“A male adult driver in another vehicle was who was also released before our arrival. He was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

“One female adult, who was trapped, was released by the fire service using Holmatro cutting equipment.

“She was reported as suffering from back and neck injuries and was taken by ambulance to the RVI.

“Another female was released by the crew with minor injuries and there were two people described as walking wounding – one female and one male."

The road was closed in both directions for more than three hours.