Three people have been taken to hospital after a collision on the A19 southbound in Wallsend, North Tyneside, near the Tyne Tunnel. The incident occurred just before 2.30pm on Monday 28 September, and the stretch of the major road was flooded by emergency services in response.
Northumbria Police, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service all attended the scene. Tunnel operator TT2 confirmed the closure just before 3pm, adding that traffic moving in the other direction had also been slowed as a result.
Road closed and traffic management in place
TT2 stated that traffic management was in place to work towards the release of the southbound traffic, and said further updates would be released. Photographs from the scene showed an overturned van and another car that appeared to have been involved in the incident.
Just before 3.30pm, police officers were in the area. A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Officers are currently in attendance following a collision involving two vehicles on the A19 southbound in Wallsend, North Tyneside before the Tyne Tunnel just before 2.30pm this afternoon." The spokesperson added: "The southbound approach to the Tyne Tunnel is closed from the Howdon Interchange. Motorists in the area are being asked to find alternative routes where possible."
Patients taken to hospital
NEAS deployed three ambulance crews, a clinical team leader, and two Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) units to the scene. The three patients were taken to Cramlington Hospital for further treatment for their injuries.
An NEAS spokesperson said: "We received a call at 2.28pm on Monday 28 September to reports of a road traffic incident on the A19 southbound near the Tyne Tunnel. We dispatched three ambulance crews, a clinical team leader, and two crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene. Three patients were taken to NSECH for further treatment."
Three fire engines were at the scene. A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We can confirm that earlier today (28 September), three fire appliances attended an incident in North Tyneside. The emergency call was received by our Fire Control Team at 2.29pm, and three crews from Hebburn, South Shields and Wallsend Community Fire Stations were dispatched to a two vehicle road traffic collision on the A19 southbound carriageway, before the entrance to the Tyne Tunnel, just past the Howdon Roundabout." The spokesperson added: "At the scene, firefighters assisted colleagues from the North East Ambulance Service, and patients were taken to hospital with their injuries. Crews left the scene at 2.57pm after making the vehicles safe, and the incident was then left in the hands of Northumbria Police."
