Passenger dies in early-morning collision between lorry and van
A PASSENGER died after a van was in collision with a lorry on the A69.
At around 5.15am yesterday police received a report of the collision on the A69 eastbound carriageway just past the Throckley junction.
A man travelling as a passenger in the highway maintenance van was pronounced dead at the scene.
His next of kin have been informed and are now being supported by specialist officers.
The driver of the van was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The lorry driver was shaken up but not injured and has been spoken to by police and paramedics.
Police initially closed the A69 in both directions due to debris spilling across the road.
The westbound carriageway was reopened at around 6am but the eastbound road remained closed between the Throckley Interchange and Union Hall Road for some time.
Traffic was diverted off the Throckley Brickworks roundabout during the morning rush hour.
The North East Ambulance Service sent two crews and three hazardous area response teams to the area just after 5.10am.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Police want any witnesses to the collision to get in touch and anyone who has information for police should call 101, quoting log 83 22/03/18.”