Driver still critically ill after A68 crash between Witton-le-Wear and Toft Hill

The incident, involving a green Vauxhall Astra and Silver Kia, happened at about 7.30am, between Witton-le-Wear and Toft Hill, near Bishop Auckland.

A spokeswoman for Durham police has today confirmed that the Astra driver, who was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, remains in a critical condition.

The man who was driving the Kia and a teenage boy who was a passenger in the vehicle were taken to the same hospital with serious injuries. They are now said to be in a stable condition.

A stretch of the A68 was closed for almost seven hours to allow investigation work to be carried out.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash and particularly those with dash cam footage from between 7.20am and 7.30am. They are asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 55 of September 13.

• The Northern Echo reported from the scene

The Great North Air Ambulance Service helicopter landed in a field beside the A68.