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One dead in 'devastating' crashes | One dead in 'devastating' crashes |
(about 2 hours 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. | 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 fuel tankers, two lorries 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. | 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. | It is thought the person killed was in a car trapped between the two tankers. |
No details about their identity have been released. | 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 | 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. | 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 added: "It could have been a lot worse. When you have a scene like that, with so many vehicles involved, it's surprising more people weren't seriously hurt." | |
The North East Ambulance Service said a man, aged 47, suffered abdominal and shoulder injuries, while a 50-year-old man sustained head injuries. | 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. | 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. | 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 clear the wreckage has been ongoing, and crews had to cut away a 20m (66ft) section of the central barrier so vehicles could be pulled away from the crush. | |
Fire crews were also draining the tankers of fuel to allow them to be moved. | |
The A19 is expected to remain closed in both directions for several hours. | |