A major road was closed this morning following a police incident which saw one person taken to hospital.

The incident was first reported at around 5.37am on the A19 and saw the road closed as police attended the scene.

A number of cars were held in the area since 6.30am on the southbound side.

Police later updated drivers asking them to avoid the area for the immediate future.

A North East Ambulance Service later issued a statement revealing that one person had been taken to hospital following the incident.

A spokesperson for the service added: “We received a call to 999 at 6:32am this morning to an incident on the A19 near Murton. 

Read more: A19 closed LIVE: One taken to hospital after road closed due to police incident

"Police also went to the scene. We sent one Hazardous Area Response Team who took one patient to Sunderland Royal hospital."

The road was fully reopened at 8.15am and police revealed that had climbed over the railings of a bridge on the A19.

A spokesperson for the force added: “Shortly after 6am this morning, we received numerous reports that a man had climbed over the railings of a bridge over the A19 near Dalton Park.

"Emergency services attended the scene and the road was closed in both directions between the Dalton Park turnoff and the A182 turnoff for Cold Hesledon.

"The man was safely brought down and both lanes of the road were reopened by 8.15am. Police would like to thank motorists for their patience during this incident."

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