A woman is fighting for her life in hospital after a serious County Durham crash. 

Police closed the B1281 Hesledon Road near Blackhall Colliery for seven hours on Wednesday (August 29) after a single-vehicle collision around 1.40m.

An air ambulance was called to the scene alongside paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service, and a woman was taken to the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, with life-threatening injuries. 

Durham Constabulary has confirmed that the woman remains in hospital at this time - with the road finally re-opening around 6.30pm. 

As previously reported, The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) sent two double-crewed ambulances, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, a clinical team leader to the scene.

Police initially described the crash as "serious" and said it expected the road to be closed "for some time".

A NEAS spokesperson said: "We received a call at 11.43 this morning to a one-vehicle road traffic incident on the B1281, Castle Eden.

"We dispatched two double-crewed ambulances, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, a clinical team leader and requested support from Great North Air Ambulance Service.

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"One patient was transported to James Cook Hospital by road with a doctor on board."

A force spokeswoman added: "Police were called at 11.40am on Wednesday to reports of a one-vehicle collision on the B1281, Hesledon Road.

"The woman was taken to James Cook Hospital with life threatening injuries, she remains there. The road was open from around 6.30pm last night."