A major crash involving several police cars has shut the A1 on Tyneside in both directions, causing serious injuries and leading to long delays for motorists.
Five people were taken to hospital following the early morning crash, the North East Ambulance Service said.
Four badly damaged marked police vehicles can be seen in pictures of the pile-up near Denton, Newcastle, along with a car on its side.
Images also showed debris scattered across the northbound carriageway. One of the police vehicles had its roof torn off.
Crash investigators have been sent to the scene following the incident, which happened at around 2.30am on Wednesday.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said it sent five ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, and two hazardous area response team crews to the scene.
It also asked the Great North Air Ambulance Service to help, and they attended by road.
“Five patients were transported to hospital for further treatment,” the spokesperson said.
The A1 will be closed in both directions between junction 73 at Swalwell in Gateshead and junction 75 at Denton into Wednesday afternoon, National Highways said.
Local roads, including the A19 to the east of the city, are heavily congested, the agency added.
It said the road closure follows a “multi-vehicle collision resulting in serious injuries”.
“Due to the severity of the collision a full Northumbria Police investigation is under way, and they advise that it will be protracted,” it said.
“The road is expected to remain closed in both directions into the afternoon of Wednesday 9th April.”
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A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Shortly before 2.30am today (Wednesday) we received a report of a multi-vehicle collision on the A1 northbound near the Derwenthaugh Road junction, Gateshead.
“Emergency services are currently in attendance.
“A section of the road is closed in both directions – there are diversions in place from the Derwenthaugh Road junction northbound, and the A69 roundabout southbound.
“Motorists should use alternative routes where possible.”
