A19 reopens six hours after serious road accidents saw man arrested and eight people taken to hospital

The A19 has reopened following two smashes which saw a man arrested and eight people taken to hospital.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a section of the A19 was closed for about six hours between the A179 Hartlepool juntion and the A181 Wingate turn off following the two serious collisions.

The first incident happened at the Castle Eden turn-off just after 10am when it is believed a vehicle turned onto the A19 to travel North on the Southbound carriageway and was in collision with another vehicle.

Two people were taken to hospital with none life-threatening injuries.

A19 closed in both directions between the A179 near Sheraton and the A181 near Wingate due to a serious incident on each carriageway

The second incident happened at 10.30am near Sheriton where it is believed that a VW Polo was in collision with a Ford Ka and a Mini Cooper.

Six people were taken to nearby hospitals and it is believed that one person is in a critical condition.

Emergency services attended the two incidents including appliances from Cleveland Fire Brigade and County Durham and Darlington Fire Rescue.

As well as road ambulances, the Great North Air Ambulance also attended.

One person was arrested for dangerous driving.

Sergeant Wells of Durham Constabulary road policing unit would like to speak with anybody who may have seen the collisions.

Anybody with any information is asked to contact the collision investigation unit on 0191 3752159 or Durham Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference DHM-15032015-0135.