A woman in her 80s has been hospitalised after a crash that closed Darlington's North Road this morning. 

At around 10am, an officer from Durham Constabulary was responding to an emergency with lights and sirens activated when they collided with a white Suzuki driven by an elderly woman. 

She sustained a head injury in the crash, which saw her car mount a bollard and a signpost, and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, the police officer involved in the incident emerged unscathed.

An investigation into the incident has been launched, police confirmed. 

Following the collision, North Road was temporarily closed in both directions near Morrisons to allow specialist officers to thoroughly examine the scene. However, the road has since been reopened for normal traffic flow.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "A motorist has been injured following a collision with a police car in Darlington this morning (Saturday, August 31).

"At around 10am, an officer from Durham Constabulary was travelling along North Road, on blue lights, when the collision with a white Suzuki occurred.

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"The driver, a woman in her 80s, sustained a head injury and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment. The police officer was unhurt.

"North Road was closed in both directions near Morrisons while specialist officers examined the scene, but it has since reopened. An investigation is underway.

"Witnesses, who have not yet spoken to police, are asked to email Durham Constabulary via sciu@durham.police.uk, quoting incident reference 118 of August 31."