FOUR IN HOSPITAL AFTER A19 SMASH
Six people were taken to hospital after two multi-vehicle crashes on busy Wearside roads yesterday.
In the first collision, emergency services were called to the A19 at 6.25am yesterday after a crash involving six cars and an HGV on the northbound carriageway, near Nissan.
A stretch of the road had to be closed between the A1290 junction and Testo’s Roundabout, while five fire crews, three ambulances and police attended to motorists.
One man was cut free from a Vauxhall Corsa by firefighters and taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital suffering back and head injuries.
Northumbria Police later confirmed three others were also taken to the same hospital. All were said to have “non-life-threatening” injuries.
A fifth person, a 29-yearold man, was taken to South Tyneside Hospital suffering from back pain.
Two other people were treated at the roadside by paramedics for whiplash.
Large queues formed as diversions were put in place via the A1231 Washington Highway on to the A194 and or the A184 after the road was closed as a clean-up operation took place. On the A19, traffic tailed back as far as the Doxford Park turn-off.
And police said there had also been slow traffic on the southbound carriageway, the result of ‘rubbernecking’ motorists looking to see what had happened on the opposite side of the road.
The road was reopened shortly after 9.30am.
A Nissan spokeswoman said the plant slowed production first thing to allow staff extra travel time as a result of the crash.
“Our line 2 started up this morning and ran at a slower than normal rate, allowing everyone to get into work,” she said.
“However, there will be no effect on plant volume.”
Later in the day, a woman was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital after a threevehicle crash on Newcastle Road. Police were called to the collision scene at around 3.30pm.
The injured woman was taken to hospital for treatment after suffering whiplash.
“There will be no effect on plant volume”
NISSAN SPOKESMAN