A man has been arrested following a “serious” two-car collision that closed a busy North East A road for three hours and left five people requiring medical treatment.

Police have arrested a 30-year-old Mercedes driver on suspicion of dangerous driving after a two-car collision took place on the A19 southbound between the A1231 and A183 just after 8pm last night (July 15).

Emergency services attended the collision between a Mercedes and a black MG, taking a 49-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man from the MG to hospital with minor injuries.

Read more: A19 crash: Five in hospital after collision near Pennywell

Two male passengers from the Mercedes were taken to hospital where one male was treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Another passenger from the Mercedes reportedly left the scene on foot after the collision, with police now urging him to come forward so they can check on his welfare.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called to reports of a multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the A19 shortly after 8.30pm last night.

”We dispatched four ambulance crews and a clinical team leader, and transported five patients to Sunderland Royal Hospital for further treatment.”

Northumbria Police have now launched an appeal for dashcam footage and information as their investigation into the incident continues.

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Sergeant Russell Surrey from Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols department said: “We are currently working to establish to circumstances which led up to this collision and would appreciate any help and support from the public, who might have seen what happened.

“This was a serious collision which resulted in a number of people requiring hospital treatment for a variety of injuries and we wish them all a full recovery.

“The road was closed for three hours and our investigation will continue throughout the coming days so please get in touch if you can help us.

The public is asked to Call 101 or use the 'Tell Us Something' page on their website quoting log NP-20230715-1074.