A MAN was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash on the A1(M) in County Durham.

The collision, near Chester-le-Street, is thought to have involved several vehicles and police are investigating to establish what happened.

A 59-year-old was cut free from his vehicle by firefighters and flown to the RVI in Newcastle suffering from head and chest injuries.

His condition was described as ‘stable’.

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance said: “A male driver was cut free from his vehicle and following an assessment by our trauma doctor and after some pain relief, he was flown to the RVI in Newcastle with suspected head and chest injuries.”

The crash happened at 11.35am on Saturday and caused major tailbacks on the road.

Several vehicles overheated and caused further delays further down the road between junction 61 and 62, south of Durham City.

Police are investigating and anyone with information can call 101.