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One dead in 'devastating' crashes | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
One person has died and 10 others have been injured in a series of crashes in thick fog on a stretch of the A19 in County Durham. | |
The first crash, involving two petrol tankers, a lorry and a car, happened on the southbound carriageway between Peterlee and Wellfield on Friday night. | |
While police and fire crews dealt with the incident, there were two further collisions involving 21 vehicles. | |
It is thought the person killed was in a car trapped between the two tankers. | |
No details about their identity have been released. | |
Thick fog on the east coast is thought to have been a contributory factor Durham Police spokesman | |
The second crash, on the northbound carriageway, involved 18 vehicles, and the third - on the Wellfield Sliproad - involved three vehicles, including a police car. | |
A police spokesman said: "Thick fog on the east coast is thought to have been a contributory factor in what happened and police are urging drivers to avoid the area." | A police spokesman said: "Thick fog on the east coast is thought to have been a contributory factor in what happened and police are urging drivers to avoid the area." |
David Turnbull, the fire officer in charge, said emergency crews helped rescue five people who were trapped in vehicles. | David Turnbull, the fire officer in charge, said emergency crews helped rescue five people who were trapped in vehicles. |
He said crews stationed close to the scene heard a series of loud bangs. | He said crews stationed close to the scene heard a series of loud bangs. |
"When they responded they found absolute devastation on the fly-over adjacent to the fire station - 20 to 30 cars, a large number of HGVs, two petrol tankers and a large number of people trapped," he said. | "When they responded they found absolute devastation on the fly-over adjacent to the fire station - 20 to 30 cars, a large number of HGVs, two petrol tankers and a large number of people trapped," he said. |
Children injured | |
The North East Ambulance Service said a man, aged 47, suffered abdominal and shoulder injuries, while a 50-year-old man sustained head injuries. | |
They were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital, along with two other men in their late teens and two women with two children, who all suffered minor injuries. | |
Another man, aged 25, and a 27-year-old man, both with back and neck injuries, were taken to North Tees General Hospital. | |
Work to recover vehicles from the scene is ongoing and the A19 is expected to remain closed in both directions until at least lunchtime. | |
It is understood that fire crews are draining the petrol tankers of fuel before they can be moved. | |
Durham Police has set up a casualty bureau for concerned relatives. | |
The number for the bureau is 0191 386 0098. |