A DRIVER was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a van is thought to have collided with a tree in the early hours of this morning.

The serious collision happened near Thorpe Thewles, between Stockton and Sedgefield, in the early hours of Friday (May 6).

The driver of a flat-bed van is being treated at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for serious injuries. 

It happened on the A177 eastbound carriageway between 1am and 1.10am.

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A Durham Police spokesperson said: “It is believed the vehicle, a flat-bed recovery truck left the carriageway and collided with a tree.

“The driver sustained serious injuries and was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the A177 Stockton Road, Sedgefield, shortly before 1.30am this morning.

"We dispatched one crew from our Hazardous Area Response Team, one ambulance crew and a doctor, and transported one patient to James Cook Hospital for further treatment."

The road was closed for several hours while collision investigators worked at the scene.

Officers investigating the incident are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

They are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or has dashcam footage.

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Anyone with information is asked to contact the Collision Unit on 101 quoting incident number 19 of May 6.

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