Seven police officers have been treated in hospital and five police vehicles badly damaged after an early morning car chase on one of the busiest roads in the north-east of England.
Police were pursuing a dark grey BMW M Sport when the collision happened just before 2.30am on Wednesday on the northbound carriageway of the A1, near junction 75, and the Denton Burn roundabout, near Newcastle.
The road was closed in both directions, causing traffic chaos across Newcastle and Gateshead.
Images from the scene show four badly damaged, marked police cars and one unmarked police vehicle, with a flashing blue light, on its side. One of the police cars had had its roof torn off.
Northumbria police said seven officers were taken to hospital with what were described as “non-life threatening injuries”. Four have been discharged, two remain in observation and one is being treated for a leg injury. Two occupants of the BMW were uninjured.
A force spokesperson said officers had attempted to stop the BMW in the Whickham area of Gateshead at about 2am because of concerns about the way it was being driven. The BMW drove off and was later spotted in the Swalwell area.
Specialist officers from the force’s roads policing unit were sent out and got behind the BMW at 2.25am, the force said. A pursuit was authorised and at 2.27am there was a collision involving five police vehicles and the car.
A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. A woman, also in her 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving. Both remain in police custody.
The closure of the A1, between junctions 73 and 75, added about an hour to many people’s car journeys on Wednesday and significant delays to local bus services. Newcastle airport warned travellers they should allow additional time to get there.
Police said the long closure was necessary and thanked motorists for their patience.
Supt Michelle Caisley 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 under way 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 inquiries.”
The crash took place on the A1 carriageway below the roundabout where the gunman Raoul Moat shot PC David Rathband, leaving him blind, in 2010.
A spokesperson for National Highways said: “A multi-vehicle collision resulting in serious injuries occurred at approximately 02.30 this morning. Due to the severity of the collision, a full Northumbria police investigation is under way and they advise that it will be protracted. The road is expected to remain closed in both directions into the afternoon of Wednesday 9 April.”
A spokesperson for North East ambulance service said: “We received a call at 2.29am on Wednesday April 9 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.”
