TWO police officers were injured in the early hours of this morning after a car crashed into their van.

They were in a stationary marked police vehicle with blue lights on with a recovery truck as they were removing an abandoned quad bike.

The incident happened just before 4am on Grewgrass Lane, near New Marske.

A black Vauxhall Corsa travelling in the direction of Redcar collided with the police vehicle before it flipped on its side and went on fire.

Other officers who attended the scene got the male driver and female passenger - both 18 – out of the car.

Ambulance staff attended and both officers were taken to hospital to be checked; one for injuries to his wrist, arm and leg and one for potential whiplash.

The Corsa driver was taken to James Cook University Hospital with a suspected pelvic injury and his passenger was also taken there for treatment to burns, a suspected dislocated and fractured shoulder and possible broken pelvis.

The recovery driver was physically uninjured but left shaken.

Read more: A1(M) closed northbound after serious crash 

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “We are appealing for information after a collision earlier this morning. (Sunday May 22)

“At approximately 3.55am two police officers were in a stationary marked police van with blue lights on, in company with a recovery truck at the side of the road on Grewgrass Lane near New Marske as they’d just removed a quad bike found abandoned there.

“Fire Brigade colleagues attended and extinguished the vehicle fire.

“Motorists and local people are advised that the road is temporarily and briefly closed to allow collision investigation work to continue, so they should use alternative routes.

"We would like to thank anyone affected for their co-operation and understanding. “Finally we would appeal for anyone with information especially drivers with dash cam who may have captured footage of the black Corsa (registration plate OE16 EWD) in or around the Redcar/Marske/New Marske area to contact Cleveland Police on the 101 number. Please quote ref 086672.”

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