Man on attempted murder charge after serious crash
A man is facing an attempted murder charge following a crash which led to two people being airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.
Bradley Smith, of Gregson Terrace in Seaham, appeared before a bench at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, January 16, to face the allegation.
The 36-year-old has also been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and assaulting an emergency service worker in connection with the incident, which happened on Tuesday, January 12.
He did not enter any pleas during the hearing and was
remanded in custody to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, February 15.
The collision occurred on
the A688 Keverstone Bank in Staindrop, a village between West Auckland and Barnard Castle in County Durham.
It involved a white Fiat
Ducato van and a Nissan Juke, with police confirming those who had been travelling in the Fiat were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The North East Ambulance Service sent four resources to the incident and asked for support from two helicopters from the Great North Air Ambulance, after it was first called to the scene at 8.55am.
One patient was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, while another was airlifted to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
A third patient treated by paramedics at the collision site has been described as “walking wounded”.
Durham Constabulary has said its officers would like to speak to any motorists with dashcam footage of the A688 between Cockfield and County Bridge at Barnard Castle between 8.15am and 8.45am that morning.
In particular, they would like to hear from anyone who captured a white Fiat Ducato travelling in the direction of Bishop Auckland on their system.
CCTV is also being gathered by officers as inquiries continue almost one week on.
Anyone who can help with inquiries is asked to call Detective Constable Helen Towns or Detective Sergeant Jo Wright.
Durham Constabulary can be called on 101, with those getting in touch asked to quote incident 62 of January 12. Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.