A WOMAN who suffered critical head and facial injuries after two diggers fell from the back of a lorry and hit a car remains in a critical condition in hospital today (Monday).

The accident happened on the the A194 at Fellgate, near Leam Lane, Jarrow, South Tyneside, at about 11am yesterday morning (Sunday, April 13).

It is understood the diggers clipped a railway bridge before falling from the vehicle into the road.

The woman was cut free from the wreckage by firefighters and flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by the Great North Air Ambulance.

Two other people were taken to South Tyneside General Hospital in Shields with minor injuries.

The road was closed in both directions for several hours before the westbound lane was opened this afternoon.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "One woman appears to be seriously injured and has been taken to hospital.”

The bridge carries the Tyne and Wear Metro railway and services were suspended between Pelaw and Brockley Whins for some time because of the accident.

A spokesman for the Great North Ambulance Service the woman had suffered critical/life threatening injuries to her head and face.

He said that the charity had been called to help “with a very serious road traffic collision involving a car and a JCB-style vehicle.

“The doctor-led trauma team anaesthetised a female in her thirties after suffering serious face and head injuries.

“She was flown to the RVI and is in a critical condition. The flight took just four minutes.”