THE passenger of a white van that collided with a wall has died in hospital.

Emergency services were called just after 1am on Monday morning on the Coast Road, in Newcastle, between the junction with Sandyford Road and the Cradlewell Bypass.

A white Ford transit van had collided with a stone wall while heading eastbound and two men suffered serious, life-threatening injuries.

They were taken to hospital where both the 44-year-old driver and his 38-year-old passenger were described as being in a critical condition in hospital.

They have been undergoing treatment and the driver is now described as being in a stable condition.

His passenger, Michael Young, of Lobley Hill, Gateshead, could not be saved by doctors and has since died.

His family are receiving specialist support from police.

Sergeant Pinner Rana, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols Unit, said: “This is a really tragic case for everyone involved and it is incredible sad that a man has lost his life.

“Our officers continue to support his family as they come to terms with what has happened while we try and establish exactly what has happened.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and people who may have seen what happened are being urged to contact police on 101.