Five people have been hospitalized following a serious crash involving multiple police vehicles on the A1 near Newcastle, prompting major road closures and traffic disruption across the north-east of England.
Multi-Vehicle Collision Near Denton Burn Roundabout
The incident occurred shortly before 2:30am on Wednesday, April 9, on the northbound carriageway of the A1 near junction 75 and the Denton Burn roundabout. Northumbria Police confirmed a multi-vehicle collision, including four police cars and two other vehicles, one of which was found overturned.
Images from the scene show severe damage to the vehicles, with one police car’s roof completely torn off and debris scattered across the road. Emergency services, including five ambulance crews and teams from the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), responded swiftly to the scene.
Five People Injured and Transported to Hospital
The North East Ambulance Service stated that five individuals were transported to hospital for treatment following the crash. The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) also assisted at the scene by road.
A1 Closed in Both Directions Amid Police Investigation
As a result of the collision, the A1 was closed in both directions between junctions 73 and 75 during peak rush hour. National Highways reported significant delays and implemented diversions to manage traffic flow.
A spokesperson for National Highways said the road closure could last until at least the afternoon of Wednesday, April 9, due to the severity of the crash and the ongoing police investigation.
Northumbria Police Appeal for Caution and Patience
Northumbria Police advised motorists to avoid the area and follow diversion signs, with routes in place from the Derwenthaugh Road junction northbound and the A69 roundabout southbound. The force emphasized that the investigation would be “protracted” due to the serious nature of the incident.
Motorists are urged to use alternative routes where possible as recovery and investigation teams continue their work on-site.
