A1 crash update as police issue statement on officers rushed to hospital

Two officers are still in hospital after seven were injured in a horrific crash on the A1 motorway near Newcastle. Five police cars were involved in the smash during a pursuit in the early hours of Wednesday (April 9).

Northumbria Police revealed on Thursday that of the seven injured officers two are still in hospital and another has been discharged. Four left hospital yesterday. A long stretch of the road was closed in both directions between Swalwell and Denton in the immediate aftermath of the collision. Officers had tried to stop the driver of a dark grey BMW M Sport in the Whickham area of Gateshead at about 2am over concerns about the way they were driving.

The car drove off and was later seen in the Swalwell area. Specialist officers from the force's roads policing unit got behind the car at 2.25am and a pursuit was authorised. Minutes later five police cars were wrecked, with debris strewn across the road.

A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene. Northumbria Police have since said the driver was released on police bail pending inquiries into causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop when required, having no insurance and driving without a licence.

A woman, who is also in her 20s, has been released and will face no further action, having been arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving.

But the police said she will face inquiries into possession of class A and class B drugs.

Images from the scene showed four marked police vehicles badly damaged and a car on its side. One of the police vehicles had its roof torn off.

Long after the crash, blue lights continued to flash on an unmarked police car which was crushed against the central reservation barrier.

Five ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, two crews from a hazardous area response team and the Great North Air Ambulance Service attended the scene.

Supt Michelle Caisley wished all the officers involved in the collision a full recovery in a statement issued by Northumbria Police yesterday.

She also thanked everyone who attended the scene, including from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and the North East Ambulance Service.

Ms Caisley said: "An investigation is under way to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and we ask anyone with information that may assist us to come forward.

"We would also ask people to avoid speculation both online and in the community which could impact the investigation."