Home News North East News

Driver killed in 31 car A19 pile-up horror

Jun 28 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

They were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital, along with two other men in their late teens and two women with two children, who all suffered minor injuries.

Tragedy on the A19

Another man, 25, and a 27-year-old, both with back and neck injuries, were taken to North Tees General Hospital.

A senior officer said drivers had been going too fast in the conditions.

Inspector Ken Pullen of Durham Police said: “This accident was caused by bad driving in treacherous conditions.

“People were driving too fast and too close together in dense fog and the result has been tragic.

“Even going down to the scene yesterday I was in a car travelling at 50mph in very bad conditions and people were itching to speed past.

“People have to realise they must take account of the conditions and slow down.

Dave Turnbull, the fire officer in charge, said as many as 60 vehicles could have been involved in the carnage and around 50 firefighters were on the scene.

Last night, as the vehicles were being removed from the road, which was closed to traffic all day, he said: “My crews heard a series of loud bangs. When they responded they found absolute devastation on the flyover adjacent to the fire station.”

Keep up to date with the news. Sign up for News Alerts

Have your say on the latest news and sport in our Forums

Site Tools