A MAN is critically ill in hospital following a crash on the A1(M) in County Durham.

Emergency services were called to the one-vehicle collision near to Coatham Mundeville, near Darlington, yesterday at 2.15pm.

Police said the incident involved one vehicle which left the northbound carriageway and came to rest in a field.

It is understood the driver became seriously unwell with a medical condition at the wheel.

The Great North Air Ambulance service arrived at 2.25pm and treated the casualty alongside paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service.

The man was flown to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where he arrived in a critical condition.

Both carriageways were closed to allow emergency services to attend to the crash site and to allow the air ambulance to land on the southbound carriageway.

Traffic was at a stand still in both directions.

Both carriageways have reopened but motorists are being warned to expect delays.