A driver was taken to hospital following a collision, reportedly with a lamppost, on the A19 overnight.

Emergency services were called to the scene on the A19 near Murton shortly before 5am this morning (January 19).

The northbound carriageway was closed with reports the vehicle had hit a lamppost.

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The driver was taken to hospital in Sunderland as a precaution and the vehicle recovered.

Long queues formed while traffic was diverted around the area before the road reopened around 7.30am.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: “Police were called shortly before 5am, this morning (January 19) to reports of a one vehicle collision on the A19, near Murton.

“The driver was not injured but was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital as a precaution.

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“The vehicle involved has been recovered and the road is now open.”

A North East Ambulance Service Spokesperson added: “We received a call at 4.58am this morning to reports of a road traffic incident on the A19 near Dalton-le-Dale, County Durham.

“We dispatched one ambulance crew who took one patient to the Sunderland Royal Hospital for further treatment."

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