A motorcyclist is fighting for his life in hospital after crashing with a car on Thursday evening.

Emergency services rushed to the junction of the A181 Silent Bank and B6291 near Thornley, County Durham shortly after 6pm on Thursday (August 29).

A Mitsubishi Shogun car and a motorbike collided at the junction and the air ambulance was seen coming in to land nearby.

The motorcyclist sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, where he remains.

The driver of the car, and a third person were also taken to hospital by road.

Durham Police confirmed an investigation has been launched with officers appealing for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.

A force spokesperson said: “An investigation into the collision is now underway and officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident.

“They are also keen to speak to anyone with dashcam footage of the collision.

“If you can help, please contact Durham Constabulary's Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting incident number 352 of August 29 or email sciu@durham.police.uk.”

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A fourth person was treated at the scene and discharged.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We dispatched three double crewed ambulances, a clinical team leader, rapid response paramedic and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance.

“One patient was discharged at the scene and three patients were taken by road to James Cook Hospital.”