TRIBUTES have been paid to an off-duty policeman who was killed in a 30-vehicle pileup on a fog-bound dual carriageway.

PC Neil Gartland, a 38-yearold from Sunderland, who had been a frontline officer in South Tyneside throughout his eight-year career, died on Friday night when his Renault car was crushed between two petrol tankers.

Ten other people were injured in the accident, on the A19, which happened at about 10.15pm and sparked two other collisions that spread over a mile near Peterlee, County Durham, and covered both carriageways.

Chief Superintendent Neil Dennett, of Northumbria Police, paid tribute to his colleague saying: “Neil was an outstanding officer, totally dedicated to serving the public, so much so that he recently fought his way back from injury to continue working as a frontline cop.

“Everyone who knew Neil will miss him. My heartfelt sympathies, and those of all the staff at South Tyneside area command, lie with Neil’s wife and family.”

The three vehicles were travelling in a line on the southbound carriageway when, it is believed, the first tanker braked and the car was rammed into the back of it by the tanker following it.

Two 38-tonne HGVs, an empty minibus and 26 private cars and vans were also involved in the crashes.

As police responded to the first crash, a second series of collisions happened on the northbound carriageway directly opposite.

A third accident, involving three vehicles including a Durham police car, occurred on the Wellfield sliproad.

Inspector Ken Pullen, of Durham Police, said: “This accident was caused by bad driving in treacherous conditions.

People were driving too fast and too close together in dense fog and the result has been tragic.

“There was a patch of particularly thick fog which motorists drove into, braked and there were collisions.

“But people following on at speed have suddenly been confronted with this in the fog and have been unable to stop in time.

“Thick bands of fog are a peculiarity of the area, but drivers can lessen the chance of being in an accident by slowing down and giving themselves a chance to stop.”

Amy Fair, the 31-year-old general manager of Redcar racecourse, suffered a broken leg in the crash. She said: “It was pretty scary stuff.”

“I’ve just watched the video footage on the BBC and can just about see my car behind a petrol tanker.”

Police are urging any witnesses to call them on 0191-375 2159.

■ A woman passenger died after a car left the road at about 1.30am yesterday.

The 37-year-old, who has not yet been named, was in a Peugeot 406 Coupe east on the A689 between Sedgefield and Wynyard, County Durham.

The car left the road, crossing the central reservation before coming to rest in a field. She died at the scene.

The driver is helping police with their inquiries.