Police officers in Durham encountered a close shave earlier this week when units from the road division were almost hit by the doors of an unsafe vehicle while driving. 

Specialist officers were reportedly travelling from Waterhouses to Stanley on tight roads at around 7am on Monday (June 26) when they got into difficulty.

Due to the rain causing the gravel on the road surface to be patchy and heavy foliage around the roads, vision was already an issue. 

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After travelling down the road in the opposite direction from a transit van, several police officers were almost hit by a swinging door.

A post put on the Durham Police roads and armed police unit read: "For those unaware, this is a narrow twisty road with limited sight lines due to heavy foliage, plus due to the recent rains an unhealthy amount of gravel in patches of the road.

"So, taking a right hand bend when the transit was also taking the same bend in the opposite direction.

"When the offside rear cage door of the transit was not secured properly it swung out directly into the opposing carriageway.

"Thankfully, correct riding position and good reactions avoided any injury but this could have been a very different outcome.

"As a driver of any vehicle YOU are responsible for the safety and condition of the vehicle before you set off."

The specialist unit alos confirmed that the driver was reported for the offence after being pulled over on the stretch of road.