A busy route in the North East of England has been closed following a serious collision, prompting two people to be rushed to hospital.
The A1M in North Yorkshire/County Durham is closed in both directions between J57 (Stapleton) and J58 (Darlington) following a three-vehicle incident.
All emergency services are in attendance, while traffic officers from National Highways are working at the scene.
Durham Constabulary confirmed the road traffic collision shortly before midday, adding that it was conducting a collision investigation.
It warned drivers in the area that they should not use the hard shoulder or drive the opposite way on the road, unless police or National Highways have told them to.
In the latest update from National Highways, there are currently delays of 40 minutes and around three miles of congestion.
The closure is likely to remain closed for several hours as Durham Police continue their investigation.
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service told Chronicle Live that three ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a rapid response paramedic, a clinical team leader, and a crew from the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were sent to the scene.
The A1M near Darlington remains closed following a three-vehicle accident
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It also requested support from its colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), who also attended.
Two patients have been taken by road to Darlington Memorial Hospital for further treatment following the accident.
A GNAAS spokesperson added that two doctors and a paramedic were on board the air ambulance when it set off to attend the scene.
Traffic maps show long delays around Darlington after the accident
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A spokesperson told the Northern Echo: “We are currently supporting emergency service partners at a road traffic collision on the A1M southbound between Junction 58 and Junction 57.
“We were called at 11.38am today (September 4) and have three fire engines at the scene from Darlington, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe Fire Stations, along with two officers.
“The road is likely to remain closed for around four to five hours.”
Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the Solid Diamond diversion symbol:
- Exit the A1M at J57 Barton Interchange eastbound onto the A66M to Blackwell roundabout
- Continue across the roundabout onto the A66 eastbound and follow to Blands Corner roundabout
- Take the first exit onto the A67 and follow north to the roundabout with the B6280. Take the 2nd exit onto B6280
- At the B6279 roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the B6279 (Stainwood Ct)
- At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A68 northbound and follow to the A1M J58 Burtree Interchange
- Re-join the A1M at J58
Road users travelling southbound are advised to follow the Solid Square diversion symbol on road signs:
- Exit the A1M at J58 Burtree interchange southbound off-slip
- Take the 1st exit off the roundabout onto the A68 eastbound and follow for two miles
- At the B6279 roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the B6279 (Stainwood Ct)
- At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the B6280 (Carmel Road)
- Follow the B6280 for approximately one mile to the roundabout with the A67
- At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and join the A67
- At the A67/A66 roundabout, take the 5th exit onto the A66 westbound
- Follow the A66 to Blackwell roundabout and take the 2nd exit to continue onto the A66(M) southbound
- Follow the A66(M) south to J57 and rejoin the A1(M)