AN invesigation was under way last night after a heart attack victim on his way to hospital died when his ambulance and a car crashed.

Stewart Taylor, 54, was being taken to Durham's University Hospital when his ambulance collided with a Seat Ibiza at the crossroads in the centre of Sacriston, near Durham City.

Witnesses described seeing paramedics making frantic attempts to revive pet store manager Mr Taylor, who lay stricken in the back of the ambulance.

He was then taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

North East Ambulance Service said the ambulance would have had its lights on and sirens blaring when it approached the junction of Durham Road and the B6312 from nearby Edmondsley.

It is not know whether the lights were on red.

One witness, a shop owner who did not want to be named, said: "I had just got into the shop when I heard a big smash at the crossroads and went dashing out.

"I immediately thought the ambulance must have gone through a red light. They must have radioed for another ambulance because another two or three quickly arrived, as well as about nine police cars.

"I could see the guy in the back of the ambulance being resuscitated by the ambulance man. They were pressing on his chest and it all seemed very desperate."

It is not yet known if the death of Mr Taylor, who lived in Braeside, Edmondsley, near Chester-le-Street, was directly caused by the crash.

The ambulance driver, a 48-year-old man from Shotley Bridge, near Consett, and his 37-year-old technician colleague were both take to hospital with whiplash and shock but were later released.

The Seat driver, a 31-year-old woman from Fulwell, Sunderland, also suffered minor injuries and was later released after hospital treatment.

A neighbour described Mr Taylor as a hard working man who led a quiet life. He said: "I know he had been off work sick lately because he had a bad back. His wife, Heather, will be devastated by this because they were extremely close."

Mr Taylor, originally from Birtley, ran a pet store in Bishop Auckland's In-Shops complex and had another market stall in Crook. The couple are not thought to have any children.

Police and the ambulance service have both launched an investigation into the accident.

An ambulance service spokeswoman said that crew members were trained to proceed with caution at red traffic lights.

The ambulance has been taken to Sunderland for examination.

Senior divisional officer Les Matthias, of the North-East Ambulance Service, said: "The crew had attended an incident at the request of a GP. They were on the road to the hospital with the patient onboard who was critically ill when they were involved in an accident with a car."