Two fight for life after early morning pile-up
CRASH PROBE AS TWO MEN ARE LEFT FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES
CRASH investigators were last night trying to understand why a van careered out of control into a wall leaving two men fighting for life.
The collision took place on Jesmond Road in Newcastle, in the early hours of yesterday when a van ploughed into a stone wall.
Emergency services raced to the scene and the casualties were rushed to hospital.
Police are appealing for information about the crash and anyone who can help is asked to call 101 quoting log 40 10/12/18 or report it online at www.northumbria.police.uk
The white Ford transit van collided with a stone wall, causing serious injuries to the 44-year-old driver and his 38-year-old passenger.
It happened on the A1058 Jesmond Road, between its junction with Sandyford Road and the Cradlewell Bypass.
The van hit a 6ft wall runs alongside the dual carriageway, and there are a number of homes and businesses nearby.
Police say the men suffered “life-threatening injuries”.
Officers yesterday described them as being in a critical but stable condition.
The front of the van was badly damaged after the crash and part of the wall came down.
The area was cleared before the morning rush hour began and barriers were placed alongside the damaged wall.
Residents said they were awoken by the sound of a loud crash and were shocked to see what happened.
Holly Robson, who lives nearby, said: “I was in bed and I just heard this absolutely almighty crash.
“It woke me up. My flatmate then knocked on my door and said a van had gone into the wall.
“We looked through the window and saw police officers and an ambulance. It looked really bad.
“The emergency services stayed here till around 3am.”
Another resident said: “I was asleep but I got up after hearing a really loud noise. I thought ‘what on earth was that?’
“I saw flashing lights through the window and I went to see what was going on.
“I realised there had been an accident.
“A van had crashed through the wall and there were lots of bricks strewn around.
“I couldn’t see anyone in the vehicle but there was an ambulance there. The van was badly damaged.”
Officers are trying to establish how the collision occured.
Sgt Pinner Rana, of Northumbria Police’s motor patrols unit, said: “The two men involved in this collision are in a really serious condition in hospital where they are fighting for their life.
“Our officers are supporting their families at what is a really difficult time for them and our priority now is establishing what has happened.
“We have a few reports of the vehicle in the surrounding area before the collision took place but we still need to speak to people who may have seen what happened.
“If anyone has dashboard camera footage of the vehicle in the minutes before the collision, or the crash itself, then please come forward and speak to police.
“Anyone else who may have seen the vehicle is also encouraged to contact police. Any information could be really helpful to the investigation.”
Our officers are supporting their families at a really difficult time and our priority is establishing what has happened