MOTORISTS escaped serious injury when a lorry overturned on the A1 motorway yesterday.

Emergency services were called after the crash involving a HGV on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M) near Bowburn at 2pm yesterday.

The motorway was closed in both directions between Junction 61 at Bowburn and Junction 62 Carville while emergency crews dealt with the incident.

The southbound carriageway was reopened after about two hours but northbound remained shut into the early evening.

Durham police thanked drivers for their patience while officers carried out an investigation.

A spokesperson has this morning confirmed that nobody was seriously injured described those involved as 'walking wounded'.