AN air ambulance made an impromptu landing to aid a motorcyclist hurt in an accident on the A1(M).

The North-East Air Ambulance helicopter made the unscheduled stop on the south-bound carriageway of the motorway after the pilot saw the turmoil surrounding the crash south of the Washington Services.

Police said the ambulance, with a paramedic on board, was on a routine flight from its Tyneside base to Durham when it flew over the accident scene, north of Chester-le-Street, shortly after 2pm.

A tail-back developed from the accident scene. But all three lanes ahead were empty because of the damaged vehicles, allowing plenty of landing room on the roadway.

The 58-year-old injured motorcyclist was given first aid by the paramedic, before being airlifted in the helicopter to Durham police headquarters, at Aykley Heads, Durham City.

A waiting ambulance then made the short journey to take the casualty to the nearby University Hospital of North Durham.

The motorcyclist was treated for chest injuries, described as "not serious", before being released later in the evening.

A police spokesman said traffic was held up on the motorway for less than half an hour, and once the accident debris was removed vehicles were soon moving freely again.