A MAN has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after his car burst into flames following a crash on the A19.

The route has now been reopened after the single vehicle collision involving a blue Vauxhall Vectra, which took place northbound between the A689 and A179 junctions.

The male motorist, in his 40s, was treated by a Great North Air Ambulance medic at the scene for head, neck, pelvis and chest injuries, which were described as life threatening.

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by road ambulance, and was in a stable condition on arrival.

The road was also closed southbound after the accident, and traffic was being diverted through Hartlepool. Police later advised motorists to avoid the area entirely after another, two-vehicle crash, on the A689 into Hartlepool.

Congestion has now cleared and the routes are open as normal.

More details to follow.