North East news LIVE: Three taken to hospital after crashes on the A19 'within 10 feet of each other'

A19 crash cleared

Paramedics have taken three people to hospital following a crash which brought the A19 to a standstill, but the wreckages have now been cleared and the road reopened.

Two crashes “within 10 feet of each other” forced police to shut the road southbound near the Dalton Park Junction at approximately 10pm.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) treated three people at the scene — including a father and daughter — all of whom have been taken to hospital.

A NEAS spokesman said:

“We dispatched two paramedic ambulances and in total we dealt with three patients.

“The three patients were all taken to Sunderland hospital.

“Two of them were a father and daughter, so they travelled in the same ambulance.”

The extent of the injuries were not yet known, but they are not thought to be life threatening.

Traffic was being diverted around the collision via the entry and exit slip roads, with tailbacks nearly reaching Seaton at their peak.

The second ambulance left the scene at shortly after 11.30am, with police reopening the road by 12pm.

Dead body found at Browns Bay beach

An investigation has been launched by police after a body was found on a beach in North Tyneside.

Emergency services were called to Browns Bay, in Whitley Bay, at around 8.20am on Saturday and a cordon was put up around the area.

Northumbria Police said the death is being treated as unexplained and they are carrying out investigations to establish what happened.

A spokesman said:

“Police are currently investigating after a body was found on a beach in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, at around 8.20am this morning.

“Officers are carrying out inquiries into the incident and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.”

The Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade was initially called to the scene but the crew was later told they were not required and was stood down.

No further details about the deceased person have been released at this stage.

Anyone who may have information about what happened is asked to contact Northumbria Police officers on 101 quoting reference number 247 30/12/17.

Train withdrawn

If you’re heading into the city centre from South Gosforth (or Ilford Road, West Jesmond or Jesmond), there is a big delay for some passengers due to a train being pulled from service:

Windy weather on NYE

Windy weather is expected on new year’s eve, with a warning from the Met Office about high winds in the North East.

Any remaining snowmen from Friday’s flurry of snow look set to be blown away on Sunday, with strong winds arriving in the region from 4am.

The weather warning, which remains in place until 3pm on December 31, suggests there could be damage to buildings, power cuts and travel disruption as a result of the wind.

The Met Office’s warning reads:

“Some very strong winds are possible across Northern Ireland and then southern Scotland and the far north of England on New Years Eve.

“There is a chance of damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, with the potential for injuries and danger to life from flying debris.

“Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal areas could also be a hazard.

“Longer journey times or cancellations are possible as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected with the chance that some roads and bridges could close.

“Powers cuts may occur and other services such as mobile phone coverage may be affected.”

The latest warning comes after a downpour of snow across the North East on Friday, followed by fears about ice in the region.

However, Storm Dylan, which looks set to bring extremely strong winds to the UK, is currently forecast narrowly avoiding the North East, with the greatest impact for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Three people taken to hospital

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) have treated three people at the scene of the A19 collisions, all of whom have been taken to hospital.

A NEAS spokesman said:

“We dispatched two paramedic ambulances and in total we dealt with three patients.

“The three patients were all taken to Sunderland hospital — two of them were a father and daughter, so they travelled in the same ambulance.

“Our second ambulance has just left the scene.”

How are the delays?

Although the A19 is closed southbound, the diversion using the slip roads appears to be keeping tailbacks relatively short.

Here’s a look at TomTom’s live traffic map in the affected area:

Where is the diversion

We understand that the traffic is being diverted via the slip roads at the Dalton Park junction.

A19 closed southbound

Police have now closed the road due to the southbound A19 crashes, with the road policing team creatively adding that viability is poor due to the sun:

First snow, now ice: Met Office's weather warning

The Met Office has issued a warning for ice in the North East.

Motorists and pedestrians will need to take care this weekend as the warning is in place from 3pm Friday until 12noon Saturday.

Snow began falling across the region on Friday morning and, as usual, disruption ensued.

Flights were delayed from Newcastle Airport and roads in Northumberland such as the A68 in West Woodburn were closed due to hazardous icy conditions.

The yellow warning affects all of the North East including Northumberland, Durham and Teesside.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said:

“Icy stretches are expected to form on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths over much of Scotland and northern England.

“Further snow showers may also give a further 1-3cm in places over Scotland, mainly on high ground from the Central Belt northwards.

“Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces are likely. Longer journey times and some road closures are possible with some bus and train services perhaps delayed.”

Update on the A19 crash

Two crashes “within 10 feet of each other” has brought the A19 southbound to a standstill.

The collisions happened at around 10am near the Dalton Park junction in County Durham, and police are at the scene and paramedics were en route.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said:

“There has been two two-vehicle collisions within 10 feet of each other, just after the junction for Dalton Park.

“It’s still ongoing and we are waiting for the ambulance service to attend.

“Whether there are any injuries is unknown at this time.”

Four-vehicle crash on the A19

Traffic is at a standstill on the A19 after a four-vehicle collision at the Dalton Park junction:

Financial rules must change — Benitez

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez feels that Financial Fair Play rules need to change if the Premier League is to become fairer for teams in the bottom half.

Since 2013, the Premier League have had Financial Fair Play regulations which, put simply, look to prevent clubs spending beyond their means and grossly expanding their wage bill during one transfer window.

The idea was to try and bridge the gap between clubs at the top of the Premier League and clubs further down the table.

However, the divide between the Premier League’s top six teams (Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal) and the rest of the division is ever-growing.

And Benitez believes that while the current regulations exist, reaching the top eight of the Premier League is the ceiling in terms of what they can strive to achieve.

Benitez said:

“I think the Financial Fair Play was good at the beginning.

“Now they find a way to bend the rules. Now you see the money everybody is spending and it is difficult to compete. You then see on the pitch, the difference between the two teams.

“If we do what we have to do we can be in the top eight. The top 10, for sure, but the top eight, if we do things right.”

Read his comments in full here (or watch the video above)

The North East names on the New Year Honours List

The North East’s top educators, emergency service workers and the volunteers who go above and beyond for their communities have been recognised by royalty in the New Year’s Honours List.

Business leaders and politicians from the region are also among those commended on the annual list.

They sit alongside internationally famous musicians, The Beatles’ Ringo Starr and Bee Gees co-founder Barry Gibb, who were both awarded knighthoods, as well as authors, actors and academics.

This year, a total of 1,123 people were handed one of the royal awards.

These include knighthoods, medals for specific services, and various levels of the Order of the British Empire (which range from CBEs - the highest honour - down to MBE).

Among those on the list was Alnwick-based World War Two veteran Frank Bull, who, at 93, was one of the oldest people recognised on the national list.

Mr Bull, who worked in Bletchley Park helping to decode and transmit vital secrets during the war said his honour came as a complete shock.

“I’ve never sought any reward for what I’ve done,” he said. “This has come completely out of the blue - but it’s very exciting.” Father-of-two Mr Bull said his family were “very proud” of his achievement - though some of the other recipients were more shy about informing family of their awards.

See who else has been nominated here.

Dead body found on beach

A dead body has been found washed up on a Whitley Bay beach this morning.

Police are currently investigating after the body was discovered at around 8.20am this morning.

Officers are carrying out enquiries into the incident and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 247 30/12/17.

Extra matchday trains

Heading to the match later? There will be extra Metros put on to St James’ Park, and, as a festive bonus, there are currently no delays*:

*Also this could most definitely change in the next few hours...

Today's front page

Today’s Chronicle leads with the story of mourners turning out in the snow to bid their final goodbyes to young mum Carly Hemmings.

Mum-of-one Carly was found dead in her home in Ryton, Gateshead, on the morning of December 11 aged just 26.

Yesterday, family and friends filled the Holy Cross Church in Ryton to mourn for the young mum and share their favourite memories in an emotional service.

If you want to read the story in full, click here.

Good morning

Good morning and welcome to the breaking news blog.

It’s Tom Eden here and I’ll be keeping you updated on what’s going on across the North East, including the latest on the roads.

If you would like to get in touch, here are my details:

• Phone: 0191 201 6106
  
• Email: tom.eden@trinitymirror.com
  
• Twitter: @TomEden11