A TRIAL date has been agreed in the case of a motorist accused of responsibility for a serious road accident on a dual carriageway.

Craig Harding was at the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo which collided with the back of a stationary Ford Ka, at the rear of a line of standing traffic on the northbound carriageway of the A19 in County Durham, on Mothering Sunday, March 15, at 10.30am.

The Ka overturned, leaving the 59-year-old female driver unconscious, critically injured.

Paramedics gave life-saving treatment at the scene and she was air-lifted to hospital where she underwent initial surgery and lengthy treatment.

Two passengers in the Ka were among six other people taken to hospital as a result of the collision, which also involved a Mini Cooper.

The accident took place a short time after another collision, directly opposite, which blocked the southbound stretch of the A19, between Hutton Henry and Sheraton junctions.

Two other people were injured in that accident, which is believed to have been caused after a car turned and drove the wrong way up the carriageway.

Forty-four-year-old Mr Harding, of Outram Street, Houghton-le-Spring, is accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He appeared at Durham Crown Court today (Wednesday), when a trial date was agreed, to start at the court on March 29, with a three-day estimate.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned the case and bailed the defendant to return for a plea hearing on December 21.