A horse had to be tragically put down at the roadside as the woman rider was taken to hospital following a crash involving two vehicles on the outskirts of Darlington on Sunday.

Two other people were also taken to hospital after emergency services were alerted to the collision on the A167 at Coatham Mundeville at 11am. 

The road was closed in both directions between J59 A1(M) and the White Horse junction while police dealt with the incident. 

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The woman rider of the horse was taken to hospital with a leg injury. The horse, which had suffered "significant injuries" had to be put down at the scene.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "Officers were called shortly before 11am to a collision near the Foresters Arms, at Coatham Mundeville, involving a horse and rider and two vehicles.

"The female rider of the horse has been taken to hospital with a leg injury.

"Tragically, the horse suffered significant injures and was euthanised at the scene to prevent further suffering.

The road was closed while officers worked at the scene but has since reopened.

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A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call at 10:55 this morning to reports of a road traffic incident involving a horse and a car outside the Foresters Arms on Brafferton Lane in Darlington. 

"We sent two emergency ambulances, a clinical team leader and requested support from the air ambulance.  Three patients were taken to local hospitals at James Cook, Darlington Memorial and North Tees."