A1 reopens after serious crash that hospitalises seven police officers

Yahoo

09-04-2025

The A1 has reopened in the North East after a serious crash that hospitalised seven police officers.
Officers from Northumbria Police engaged in a two-minute-long police chase that ended in a crash on the A1 at about 2.30am this morning (April 9) between Dunston and Swalwell in Tyne and Wear.
A man and woman, both in their 20s, were arrested following the serious crash.
A total of five police cars were involved in the incident, which police say came about because of a chase involving a dark grey BMW M Sport following concerns "about how it was being driven".
(Image: NORTH NEWS AND PICTURES) The road was closed by police and remains closed as a probe began.
But Northumbria Police and Highways England have confirmed that the A1 has reopened after the vehicles were removed from the stretch of road.
A spokesperson for Highways England said: "The A1 is now open in both directions between J73 Swalwell and J75 Denton. Thank you for your patience."
A man in his 20s has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and a woman, also aged in her 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving.
A total of seven officers were taken to hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.
Four have been discharged, two remain for observation, and one is receiving treatment for a leg injury.
The crash on the A1 (Image: NORTH NEWS) Further details reveal that after the BMW M Sport was spotted but had driven off, it was sighted in Swalwell - and at 2.25am police got behind the car to begin a pursuit.
Just two minutes later, the crash took place near the Derwent Haugh Road junction.
Supt Michelle Caisley, from Northumbria Police, said: 'Firstly, we want to wish all the officers who have been involved in the collision a full recovery.
'We would also thank all those who attended the scene, including our colleagues from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and the North East Ambulance Service.
'An investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ask anyone with information that may assist us to come forward.
'We would also ask people to avoid speculation both online and in the community which could impact the investigation.
'We recognise this incident has caused significant delays and thank motorists for their patience. The road closure has been necessary in order for our collision investigation team to conduct their enquiries."
The crash on the A1 (Image: NORTH NEWS) This includes anyone with CCTV or dashcam of the collision or the events leading up to this, including footage of the BMW.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call at 2.29am on Wednesday 9 April to reports of a road traffic collision on the A1 northbound near Denton, Newcastle.
"We dispatched five ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, two crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who attended by road.
"Five patients were transported to hospital for further treatment."
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We can confirm that in the early hours of Wednesday morning (9th April) five fire appliances and two Officers attended a road traffic collision in Newcastle.
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"Our control room team received an emergency call from Northumbria Police for assistance at 2.29 a.m., and crews from Gosforth, Newcastle Central, Swalwell and West Denton Community Fire Stations were dispatched to a location on the A1 northbound near to Denton Burn.
"Our Firefighters assisted blue light colleagues from Northumbria Police and North East Ambulance Service during the multiple-vehicle incident.
'Crews left the scene at 3.51 a.m.'