Four people taken to hospital after multi-vehicle crash closes A19

Two people have been seriously injured following a multi-vehicle collision.

The A19 is currently closed near Sunderland[1] due to a crash at the A690 Durham Road (Herrington Interchange).

Police, paramedics, doctors[2] and firefighters were called to the scene just before 12.30pm on Saturday. The Great North Air Ambulance, four five engines and five emergency ambulance crews were in attendance.

Four patients have been taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)[4] in Newcastle[5] – two of which were seriously injured.

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS)[6] said: “We received a call to 999 at 12:20 to reports of a serious road traffic incident on the A19.

“We sent five emergency ambulance crews, three Hazardous Area Response Vehicles, a doctor, a clinical team leader, a specialist paramedic and the air ambulance and transported four patients to the RVI by road, two of which had serious injuries.”

Two doctors and a paramedic from the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS)[7] attended the scene of the collision in their helicopter. The critical care team assessed and treated a patient, who was then taken to hospital by road ambulance.

A GNAAS spokesperson said: “Our critical care team was activated at 12.25pm to reports of a road traffic collision near the Herrington Interchange on the A690 Durham Road.

“We had a paramedic and two doctors on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 12.45pm. Our team assessed and treated a patient who was then taken to hospital by the North East Ambulance Service road crew, accompanied by our team.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS)[8] sent four fire engines and an officer to the collision after being called at 12.35pm.

The collision has led to queuing traffic and delays of up to 35 minutes between A1018 (Seaham Grange roundabout) and A183. Traffic is being diverted via the exit and entry slip roads.

Just after 2pm, there were reports of another collision in the queues on the southbound side of the A19. This led to one lane being closed and further delays.

Northumbria Police[9] confirmed officers were in attendance and advised motorists to take an alternative route where possible.

The A19 reopened again to traffic at around 6pm.

References

  1. ^ Sunderland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ Police, paramedics, doctors (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ Masked men in hearse drive onto Gateshead football pitch with police investigation ongoing (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  5. ^ Newcastle (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  6. ^ North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  7. ^ Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  8. ^ Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  9. ^ Northumbria Police (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)