1 week ago
22
Evie Lake & Jason Arunn Murugesu
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
PA
The crash happened just before 02:30 BST at junction 75 near Denton Burn
A crash involving a number of police cars has closed part of the A1 in Newcastle.
Five people were taken to hospital following the collision, which happened just before 02:30 BST, the North East Ambulance Services (NEAS) said.
Pictures from the scene show four marked police vehicles badly damaged - one with its roof ripped off - and a car on its side, with debris scattered across the northbound carriageway near Denton Burn.
The road between junction 73 and 75 is expected to remain shut until the afternoon while an investigation is carried out, National Highways said, and diversions are in place.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said it sent five appliances from across Newcastle and crews left the scene just before 04:00.
The crash happened during the early hours of the morning
Debris can be seen scattered across the carriageway
At the scene, BBC Look North reporter Mark Denten said an "extensively damaged" black 4x4 was on its side and debris could be seen scattered across the road.
Four police cars could also be seen, he said, with one a few metres down the road appearing to be the most severely damaged.
BBC Radio Newcastle reporter Rebecca O'Neill said one of the cars was missing its roof.
She said people crossing a nearby footpath told her they heard a police helicopter hovering over the area for a "good couple of hours" overnight.
PA
The North East Ambulance Service confirmed five people were taken to hospital
Drivers have been advised to find alternative routes if possible.
The crash hit the morning rush hour with motorists forced to find alternative routes over the River Tyne. It led to 30-to-40 minute queues over the Redheugh Bridge and about 40-minute delays through the Tyne Tunnel.
NEAS said it had sent five crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer and two crews from its Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
