A female has died and three others were seriously injured after a major crash in a North East town.
Soon after 1.20am officers were called to a crash on the A1231 in Sunderland between Queen Alexander Bridge and the Northern Spire Bridge.
Police found that, for reasons currently unknown, a black Vauxhall Astra had left the road and crossed the central reservation before hitting a fence on the opposite side.
Emergency services soon attended the scene but a female passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
Formal identification has not been carried out, but officers have informed the next of kin of the female believed to be involved.
Another female inside the vehicle was taken to hospital with serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.
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Two other passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.
A full investigation into the incident is ongoing and police are now asking anyone with information to get in touch.
Inspector Sarah Munnelly, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols Department, said: “This is a devastating outcome and our thoughts are with the female’s family at this time.
“We will continue to offer them any support they need and I would ask everyone to give them the privacy they deserve.
“We are carrying out a range of enquiries into the circumstances surrounding this collision. It is crucial that we find out what happened in the immediate moments before the incident – and I’m asking the public for their help.
“If you witnessed the collision, or were driving in the area in the early hours of this morning and saw a black Astra, we want to hear from you. Please check any dashcam footage and let us know if you see anything that may be of assistance.
“Your information, no matter how insignificant you feel it may be, could be crucial to our enquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20221203-0062.
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