Two airlifted after crash

TWO people were flown to hospital yesterday after a serious crash which closed the A1 in Northumberland.

The crash, involving two vehicles, happened on the road near Morpeth just after 11.30am.

The road was closed in both directions by emergency services between the Morpeth turn offs as two air ambulances landed on the scene.

Three fire engines were also called and two crews from Pegswood and one from West Hartford rescued someone who had become trapped in their vehicle.

Two injured people were flown by the Great North Air Ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in separate helicopters.

A third person was taken by ambulance on the road to the RVI.

The extent of their injuries is not currently known.

A diversion was put in place through Morpeth and back onto the A1 at Traffic jam on the A1 north around Morpeth Clifton but some frustrated drivers were reported to have driven along the footpath to reach the A197.

Northumbria Police has asked drivers to avoid the area until the carriageway can be reopened.

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the A1 in Morpeth at 11.39am.

“We dispatched two double-crewed ambulances, one crew from our Hazardous Area Response Team, a rapid response paramedic and a senior paramedic.

“We also requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance.

“One patient has been flown to the RVI.

“A second patient is currently in the air on the way to the RVI. A third patient is travelling by road to the RVI.”