FOUR women were injured, one seriously, after their van veered off a busy dual carriageway and hurtled down an embankment, flipping several times before coming to a halt.

The red Vauxhall Vivaro was travelling eastbound on the A690 between the Gilesgate roundabout and junction 62 (Carrville) of the A1(M), near Durham City, when it went off the road on the passenger side and careered down a steep hillside covered in bushes and shrubs.

The van went through a fence and into a field, rolling several times. It is believed most of the women were thrown from the vehicle, with one landing in a nearby tree.

It stopped the right way up, pointing eastward, but was badly damaged. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which happened shortly after 4.30pm yesterday (October 21).

The women in the van, all from County Durham, were aged 21, 38, 39 and 45.

The 21-year-old was the most seriously injured. She was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, in a Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA) helicopter having suffered an arm injury. She remained in hospital today (October 22).

The 39-year-old was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, suffering from swelling and bruising to her right arm and left eye.

The other two women suffered whiplash.

A GNAA spokesman said all four were extremely lucky not to have sustained much more serious injuries.

A stretch of the A690 eastbound was closed for several hours following the incident.

Durham County Council chiefs are currently considering whether to cut the speed limit on the road from 70mph to 50mph.

A public consultation on the proposal was held during the summer.

In March last year, 13-year-old Brandon Nugent died after being hit by a car as he crossed the A690 near the Gilesgate roundabout.

Brandon, of Gilesgate, was walking home after playing with friends and was using a designated crossing point. An inquest later heard the driver had been travelling at 70mph and was not to blame for the death.