Officers are searching for nursery or primary school-aged children after it is thought they were involved in a crash in Hartlepool, but left before police arrived.

Police are appealing to the public to help identify any children who have unexplained injuries following a crash on Masefield Road over the weekend. 

Three people have been arrested after a woman was seriously injured in the Hartlepool crash. 

The 50-year-old woman, who was a passenger in the Vauxhall Vivaro, was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, with serious injuries. 

Pictures circulating online show police cordoned off the road following the crash. 

Cleveland Police confirmed that three men - aged 63, 32 and 30 - were arrested in connection with the incident and have been taken into police custody. 

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: "As enquiries continue into a collision on Masefield Road in Hartlepool yesterday afternoon (4.35pm on Sunday, June 23), officers now believe that two young children (of nursery or primary school age) were passengers in a black Audi A4 which was in collision with a white Vauxhall Vivaro van.

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"There were no children present at the scene on officers’ arrival and Cleveland Police has not received any reports from parents or carers of these children however we need to identify who they are and ascertain they’re safe and well - and not in need of medical attention.

"We would therefore appeal for anyone who is aware of young children who appear to have recent unexplained injuries to contact Cleveland Police on the 101 number quoting ref 117990.

"If you don’t want to speak to police, you can pass information anonymously to www.crimestoppers-uk.org or phone them on 0800 555 111."