Eight in hospital after crash on A1068 Cramlington

The white van was reported stolen to police shortly after 8.40am on Friday (September 8) morning from an address in Newburn.

Police spotted the vehicle travelling towards Cramlington, Northumberland a short time later but the driver failed to stop when flagged down.

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After a police chase the van crashed into a car on the A1068 northbound, near the Snowy Owl pub and Northumberlandia.

Forensic collision investigators were seen parked up at the scene with the road closed cordoned off. Diversions remain in place.

A white van was seen crashed into a car at the scene. (Image: DANIEL HORDON)

The white van and car could both be seen smashed up and facing the wrong direction with the road scattered with debris.

Northumbria Police has referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct while investigations into the crash are ongoing.

Six ambulance crews and the air ambulance were called to the scene and eight people were taken to hospital, including one airlifted to Newcastle’s RVI.

The North East Ambulance Service said in a statement: “We received a call at 9.25am on Friday (September 8) to reports of a road traffic incident on the A1068 junction with Fisher Lane in Cramlington.

“patients were taken by road to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH), and three patients were taken by road and one by air to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) for further treatment."

The A1068 Fisher Lane remained closed on Friday (September 8) afternoon. (Image: DANIEL HORDON)

A police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 8.40am today (Friday) police received a report that a van had been stolen from outside of an address in Newburn.

“A short time later, the vehicle was sighted travelling towards Cramlington and the occupant failed to stop when instructed by police.

“Following a short pursuit, the van was in a collision with a car on the A1068 Fisher Lane northbound, near to the Snowy Owl pub.

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“Emergency services are in attendance and the road is currently closed in both directions between the A1 at Seaton Burn and A1172 Station Road.

“As is standard practice in such incidents, the collision has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Northumbria Police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230908-0225.”