Seven police officers were injured in a crash during a pursuit on the A1 in Tyneside, leaving a trail of destruction and debris scattered across the northbound carriageway.
Gatekeepers News reports that the collision involved five police vehicles and a BMW, which was being pursued by officers over concerns about the manner it was being driven.
The incident occurred just before 02:30 BST near Denton Burn, Newcastle, with pictures of the crash site showing four marked police cars badly damaged, one with its roof off, and a car on its side.
A man and woman in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and aiding and abetting dangerous driving.
The road between Swalwell and Denton was closed for several hours, causing significant traffic disruptions and delays.
The ambulance service said it had sent five crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, and two crews from its Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.
Supt Michelle Caisley said work was underway to determine the full circumstances of the crash and asked people “to avoid speculation both online and in the community which could impact the investigation”.
Susan Dungworth, Labour’s Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said she was being “regularly updated” by the chief constable and wished all officers involved a speedy recovery.
The crash hit the morning rush hour, with motorists forced to find alternative routes over the River Tyne. It led to 30-40 minute queues over the Redheugh Bridge and about 40-minute delays through the Tyne Tunnel.
