Two people have been hospitalised after a serious crash near a school in Billingham this afternoon. 

The two-vehicle collision, which happened at 1.10 pm, prompted a major emergency services response, including four vehicles from Cleveland Fire Brigade and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) helicopter. 

UPDATE: Van driver dies after serious crash on Thames Road, Billingham

The crash closed Thames Road, in Wolviston, for five hours - as debris was cleared away and crash investigators surveyed the scene. 

Two individuals were taken to hospital, though the GNAAS "did not airlift any patients". 

Read more: Billingham Crash LIVE: Two taken to hospital and road closed

A spokesperson confirmed that GNAAS responded to the incident.

The spokesperson said: "Our critical care team were activated at 1.37pm to reports of a road traffic collision in Billingham.

"Our aircraft had two doctors and a paramedic on board and they arrived on scene at 1.33pm.

"They worked alongside the North East Ambulance Service to assess and treat two patients.

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"We did not airlift any patients."

The North East Ambulance service also responded to the incident: "We dispatched three double crewed ambulances, a specialist paramedic, rapid response paramedic, clinical team leader and requested support from Great North Air Ambulance.

"Two patients were taken to James Cook Hospital by road."