A VAN driver is critically ill in hospital after his vehicle apparently smashed into the back of a lorry on the A1 in the early hours of the morning.
The man, who comes from the Manchester area, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital after the accident just south of the Burtree interchange, near Darlington, shortly before 4am.
Both vehicles were travelling north when the accident happened and the driver of the articulated lorry escaped shocked but unhurt.
The northbound carriageway of the motorway was closed for several hours and diversions were put in place.
Durham Constabulary's accident investigation unit have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and are appealing for information on 0191-3864929.
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