One man was critically injured in a collision between a minibus and a car near the junction of the A19 and A179 this evening.
The man, who is aged in his 50's and was driving the car, was freed by firefighters after being trapped for 20 minutes.
He was airlifted by the Great North Air Ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.
Eleven other people were also injured and were taken to hospital by land ambulance.
Two fire crews from Billingham and Stockton attended and provided initial first aid at the scene.
The accident happened shortly before 5.35pm.
The A19 was closed in both directions between the A689 at Wolviston and the A179.
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