POLICE have this afternoon named the driver who died after his bus was in a head-on collision with a coach.

Gordon Hutchinson suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of Wednesday's accident in the village of Newfield, near Chester-le-Street, in County Durham.

The 58-year-old was a married father-of-three who lived in Lowther Avenue, in Chester-le-Street.

He was driving a 28-seater bus, owned by Classic Coaches, which collided with a 70-seater Nightingales coach shortly after 4pm.

The 50-year-old driver of the coach remains in a critical condition in Newcastle General Hospital.

Three passengers on the bus driven by Mr Hutchinson were taken to hospital following the crash.

A 69-year-old, from Pelton Fell, suffered fractures to the pelvis and internal injuries and was taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by air ambulance. His condition was described as comfortable and stable this morning.

Two women on the bus were treated at the University Hospital of North Durham for minor injuries and were discharged last night. They are aged 72 and 50 and both come from the village of Newfield.

A number of floral tributes have now been placed at the scene of the crash in North View.

Witnesses to the crash are asked to call PC Christine Wood of Durham Police on 0345 6060365.