A DRIVER was killed in a multiple pile-up involving three separate crashes in dense fog which closed the A19 in County Durham.

Firefighters described a scene of "absolute devastation" after the three accidents, which all happened between Peterlee and Wellfield last night.

Inspector Ken Pullen of Durham Police, who was at the scene, confirmed that one driver had died and a further ten people had been injured in the accident which involved 31 vehicles.

In the first, most serious accident, two petrol tankers, two HGVs and a car crashed on the southbound carriageway at 10.15pm.

It is understood a Renault car was crushed between two petrol tankers as the three vehicles travelled in a line.

It was initially reported that both of the tankers were leaking fuel, and fire crews covered them in foam as a precaution.

As police were responding to that crash, a second series of collisions took place on the northbound carriageway directly opposite, when several vehicles crashed into the back of each other.

A spokesman for Durham Police said there was dense fog in the area at the time and described the driving conditions as "treacherous".

A third accident then took place on the Wellfield sliproad involving three vehicles, one of which was a Vauxhall Astra police car carrying out traffic management duties with its warning lights flashing.

Of the 31 vehicles involved in the accident, there were two tankers, two 38 tonne HGVs, a minibus with no passengers and 26 private cars and vans.

Insp Pullen said: "Sadly, one of the drivers has died."

He added: "There's been some quite serious impact damage to the vehicles and as a result a lot of injuries are quite severe.

"We have people in hospitals in Sunderland, Stockton and Durham, but we don't believe any of the injuries are life-threatening."

The identity of the dead man will not be released until his family has been informed.

Insp Pullen added: "It seems the vehicles have been driving in fog, but were then confronted by an even thicker band of fog which has resulted in one of them slowing right down.

"There's been a minor accident and then a knock-on effect, which is one of the things which happens with this type of incident."

Dave Turnbull, the fire officer in charge, said: "My crews heard a series of loud bangs.

"When they responded they found absolute devastation on the flyover adjacent to the fire station - 20 to 30 cars, a large number of HGVs, a petrol tanker and a large number of people trapped."

The A19 was closed in both directions and was expected to remain so until late afternoon - although that estimate was described as "optimistic" by Insp Pullen. Diversions were in place and police were advising motorists to avoid the area.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "Thick fog on the east coast is thought to have been a contributory factor at the time it happened and we are urging drivers to avoid the area.

"Too many motorists are failing to take heed of the conditions, and are simply going too fast."

Insp Pullen said no arrests had been made, but blamed motorists driving too fast in the conditions for the extent of the accident.

He added: "Even coming down to the the scene today I was in a car travelling at 50mph in very bad conditions and people were itching to speed past.

"People have to realise they must take account of the conditions and slow down.

"Thick bands of fog are a peculiarity of the area and there is nothing anyone can do about that unfortunately, but drivers can lessen the chance of being in an accident by slowing down and giving themselves a chance to stop."

Anyone with information, or who wants to make an inquiry, should contact police on 0345-6060-365.