A MAN in his 60s who got out of his car on the A1 following a crash is now fighting for his life after being struck by a lorry.

The road was closed for several hours after the collision on the northbound carriageway at 10.30pm yesterday, Thursday.

The injured man, from County Durham, was driving a MINI Clubman car on the southbound carriageway which was involved in a collision at Junction 58, striking both the nearside and central barriers before coming to a stop.

No other vehicles were involved.

Shortly afterwards the driver was struck by a passing lorry while in the carriageway, suffering serious injuries.

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where his condition was described as critical.

The 50-year-old driver of the lorry was uninjured.

Both carriageways of the A1(M) were closed for several hours while accident investigation work took place and police inquiries are continuing today.