OFFICERS investigating a horrific crash which left a woman dead, said it could be some time before her details are released.

It is thought the body will need to be formally identified using DNA after the woman was hit by two lorries after she staggered from her car on the A1.

The accident happened near Darlington on Friday at 10.40pm, when the 25-year-old woman, believed to be from Surrey, was driving her Fiat Punto car on the southbound carriageway.

It is thought she lost control of the car and it hit the central reservation, before swerving back across the road and coming to rest on the hard shoulder.

Drivers called emergency services and the road was closed for seven hours.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police accident unit on 0191-375 2159.