A690 crash in County Durham: Two people taken to hospital

The A690 near Durham was closed just before 5.30pm today after a two-vehicle crash, police said.

Emergency services, have been on the scene of the collision, which happened at the junction with West Rainton and Pittington Road.

A Great North Air Ambulance helicopter landed near the scene earlier this evening.

Two people have now been taken to hospital, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said.

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One patient was taken to the Sunderland Royal Hospital while a second person was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle by the Great North Air Ambulance.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the junction of the A690 Pittington Road at 5:22pm this evening. 

"We dispatched two ambulance crews, one crew from our Hazardous Area Response Team and a clinical team leader, and requested support from Great North Air Ambulance Service.

"One patient was taken by road to Sunderland Royal Hospital and a second patient was flown to the RVI."

The road is closed in both directions to the A1(M) junction 62.

Durham Police warned people the road would remained closed for some time.

In a statement at 6pm, a spokesperson said: “Officers are currently dealing with a two vehicle RTC on the A690 near the junction at Pittington Lane and West Rainton.

“The road is likely to remain closed for some time; please find an alternative route if travelling in this area.”

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