Two people have been taken to hospital after a serious crash on the A1(M) near Darlington.
Police, firefighters, ambulances and an air ambulance were called to the southbound side of the major route following a crash just after 11.30am today (September 4).
The road remains shut between Junction 57 near Darlington and the Burtree Interchange at Junction 58 in both directions.
Drivers are facing major delays and have been warned that the road is expected to remain shut for four to five hours.
The North East Ambulance Service has now confirmed that two people have been taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for further treatment.
A spokesperson said: “We received a call at 11.41am on Friday (September 4) to reports of a road traffic incident on the A1(M) southbound near Merrybent in Darlington.
“We dispatched three ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a rapid response paramedic, a clinical team leader, and a crew from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene, and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who attended by air.
“Two patients were taken by road to Darlington Memorial Hospital for further treatment.”
Witnesses have reported seeing more than a dozen emergency service vehicles, with one man saying he saw 12 police cars, four ambulances, and three fire engines along the closed road.
Durham Police said: “We are currently dealing with a road traffic collision on the A1(M) Southbound between Junction 57 near Darlington to Junction 58 Burtree Interchange.
“The road is currently closed in both directions while officers work at the scene. Drivers are urged to avoid the area so please find an alternative route.”
National Highways said: “A1(M) both directions in County Durham between Junction 58 (Burtree Gate) and Junction 57 (Stapleton).
“Road closed due to a collision. Durham Police, the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, and the Great North Air Ambulance are working on scene.
“There are current delays of up to 30 minutes on the approach, with three miles of congestion.”
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A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We are currently supporting emergency service partners at a road traffic collision on the A1M southbound between Junction 58 and Junction 57.
“We were called at 11.38am today (September 4) and have three fire engines at the scene from Darlington, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe Fire Stations, along with two officers.
“The road is likely to remain closed for around four to five hours.”
A Great North Air Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "Our critical care team was activated at 11.59am to reports of a road traffic collision on the A1(M) near Darlington.
"We had two doctors and a paramedic on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 12.09pm."
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