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One dead, many hurt in bus crash One dead, many hurt in bus crash
(20 minutes later)
A person has been killed and several others seriously hurt in a crash between two buses in County Durham. One person has been killed and several others seriously hurt in a crash between two buses in County Durham.
The incident happened in the Newfield area of Chester-le-Street at about 1600 GMT on Wednesday.The incident happened in the Newfield area of Chester-le-Street at about 1600 GMT on Wednesday.
An ambulance service spokesman said initial reports indicated that at least seven people had serious injuries and others were being cut from wreckage. A spokesman for Durham Police said the identity of the dead person was not yet known.
Two air ambulances were also at the scene and surrounding roads have been closed. Two passengers were left in a critical condition and a further six, some of them elderly, were in a serious condition and taken to hospital.
Both vehicles are understood to be a single deck coaches. A police spokesman said: "At present it is known that one person has died and a number of passengers have been injured.
A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service said the extent of all the injuries was unclear. "Two air ambulances have been drafted to the scene along with several ordinary ambulances. Fire and rescue are also there.
Stretchered outStretchered out
She said: "We still have people at the scene, but initial reports suggest this is a serious incident. "At least one person is being cut free."
"There are two air ambulances at the scene and we understand a number of people are being cut from wreckage." Police said the scene of the crash, North View, would remain closed for some time.
A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We still have people at the scene. There are two air ambulances at the scene and we understand a number of people are being cut from wreckage."
BBC Newcastle reporter Tony Jones said he had seen casualties being stretchered out of one of the buses.BBC Newcastle reporter Tony Jones said he had seen casualties being stretchered out of one of the buses.
A spokesman for County Durham Fire and rescue said five appliances were at the scene. A spokesman for County Durham Fire and rescue said five appliances had been sent out.
Eyewitness Paul Morley was working in a field close to the scene of the incident.Eyewitness Paul Morley was working in a field close to the scene of the incident.
He said he tried to help one injured man who was "covered in blood" and had a serious head injury. He said he had tried to help one injured man who was "covered in blood" and had a serious head injury.
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