A TAXI driver has been hospitalised after suffering head injuries following a collision with a police car.

Officers travelling to the incident in Wynyard collided with a taxi at around 1.45am this morning, Friday 7th November, on the A689 westbound at Greatham, near Hartlepool.

The 46-year-old male driver of the taxi is currently being treated at James Cook University Hospital for head injuries, which have been described as non-life threatening.

A 50-year-old male passenger travelling in the taxi was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees with a leg injury but has since left hospital.

The male police officer who was travelling in the armed response vehicle suffered minor injuries and was also taken to the University Hospital of North Tees. He was treated and released. The male driver of the police vehicle was uninjured.

A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.