Overview
- Two collisions occurred about 15 minutes apart on Newcastle Road in Chester-le-Street, with incidents at the Blind Lane roundabout and the junction with Picktree Lane.
- North East Ambulance Service dispatched multiple crews, including a HART team to the second crash, and took patients to the Royal Victoria Infirmary and University Hospital of North Durham.
- County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service attended both scenes, with crews clearing Blind Lane by 7:10am and Picktree Lane by 7:27am.
- Durham Constabulary said Newcastle Road later reopened at 8am following the morning disruption.
- A separate Blyth assault left a man in his 30s critically ill; Northumbria Police issued a witness appeal citing suspect clothing details and crime reference 127634T/25.