AN appeal was made for witnesses to a fatal crash today after a car left a road for reasons yet to be established.

One man died and a second was seriously injured in the accident, apparently involving only one vehicle, on the A692 Consett to Gateshead road.

Police received a report that a Renault Clio had left the road and struck a hedge and fence, between Burnopfield and Sunniside, shortly after 5am.

Emergency services attended the scene, on a bend near a bus stand at Byer Moor.

A man, in his thirties, who was brought from the car, was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he later died.

Another man was taken to hospital for treatment for a head injury.

The section of the road either side of the accident scene remained closed until later in the morning to allow further on-site investigations to take place.

Police appealed to anyone who saw the black Clio in the area, around the time of the crash, to contact them as soon as possible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police’s road safety unit, at Etal Lane Police Station, in Newcastle, on 101, extension 69191.

A force spokeswoman added that the identities of those involved in the accident will not be released until family members have been informed.