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“Several people killed” as truck crashes into cars and explodes on A1 in County Durham
- Both carriageways of the A1 (M) near Durham were closed after the crash
- A heavy goods vehicle crossed the median between Bradbury and Carville
- The truck caught fire following the massive collision around 6:30 p.m.
It was feared that several people were killed last night when a heavy truck crashed into cars and exploded on a busy two-lane road.
A major rescue and recovery operation has been launched after the horrific crash on the A1 between Bradbury and Carville in County Durham.
The road was to remain closed until late in the morning.
Police have requested dashcam footage to help explain what caused the fiery crash, which took place around 6 p.m. last night.
“Unfortunately, it appears there have been deaths,†the County Durham force said.
Footage from the scene showed that a truck apparently collided with several cars before crashing into the median, partially crossing it and catching fire.
The wreckage was strewn for several hundred meters on the road behind the truck. A white Range Rover was particularly damaged, while other cars were written off.
Emergency services remained on the scene in the early hours of Friday.
This is the shocking scene after a truck drove through the central A1 (M) reserve outside Durham around 6 p.m. tonight
Several cars were severely damaged while a section of the central reservation was destroyed by the truck
The A1 (M) has been closed in both directions while emergency services work on the scene
Durham Police are launching a call for information following the crash at 6:30 p.m.
A police spokesperson said: “The incident happened at 6:20 pm today on the northbound carriageway in Bowburn.
“There were several vehicles, including two trucks, one of which caught fire as a result of the collision.
“Unfortunately, it seems there have been deaths. The road was closed in both directions between Bradbury and Carrville. It is expected to remain closed for several hours while emergency services, including police, firefighters and ambulances, work on the scene.
“We are asking people to avoid the area and plan ahead if they are traveling tonight.”
The Northeast Ambulance Service has confirmed they are at the scene and it will impact other areas.
A spokesperson said: “We are incredibly busy dealing with this incident right now, which may mean other patients in the area are experiencing a delay. If you are currently waiting for an ambulance, please support us and do not call us back unless your condition worsens.
Highways England believes the road will be closed in both directions for several hours.
Police have issued a call for information and want to see any dashcam footage that someone might have captured from the crash.
Witnesses are urged to call 101 and cite incident number 332 of July 15.
Durham Police confirmed there had been fatalities following the tragic crash which shut down the A1 (M) in both directions
A truck was badly set on fire after crossing the median in the aftermath of the incident
Several cars and two trucks were involved in the collision which took place around 6:20 p.m.
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