Major crash wrecks four police cars
At least four police cars have been wrecked in a major crash.
The collision caused 'serious injuries' to those involved, with a section of the A1 expected to remain closed until at least Wednesday afternoon.
One of the marked vehicles appears to have lost its roof, while another has lost its door.
Pictures of the scene show a car which looks to have flipped over and is leaning upright against the central reservation.
The road is closed between Swalwell, in Gateshead, and Denton, Newcastle, following the 'multi-vehicle' incident at around 2.30am, the Highways Agency said.
'Due to the severity of the collision a full Northumbria Police investigation is underway and they advise that it will be protracted,' the agency said.
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 Derwent Haugh 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 Derwent Haugh Road junction northbound, and the A69 roundabout southbound. Motorists should use alternative routes where possible.'
The North East Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.
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