AN investigation is under way after two people were seen to run away from a vehicle which had been involved in a crash.

Seven people were slightly injured in the two-car incident on Friday night.

Four young men were travelling in one car - a Rover - and a family of four and a woman were in the second vehicle, a Volvo.

The Rover flipped on to its side, blocking narrow Baden Street, Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Station Officer Ged Suggitt, who went to the scene, said: "The driver and front seat passenger of the Rover left the scene immediately and, according to neighbours, were bleeding profusely."

Last night, a spokesman for Cleveland Police said that investigations were continuing.