Two people have been arrested after a suspected stolen car was involved in a crash during a police chase on the A1(M) in County Durham. The northbound carriageway was closed this afternoon following the collision, which occurred during a "tactical contact" manoeuvre.
Road closure and arrests
The road was closed between junction 63 at Chester-le-Street and junction 64 at Washington on Thursday afternoon while emergency services attended the scene. Two lanes and the slip road have since reopened.
Durham Constabulary confirmed that a man and a woman have been arrested in connection with the crash. Both were taken to hospital.
Police statement
A statement from the force said: "We had received several reports of members of the public being threatened by the occupants of a suspected stolen car in Chester-le-Street this afternoon (Thursday, October 15). Immediate enquiries identified and located a car believed to be involved."
The statement continued: "The driver of the car failed to stop for officers and headed in the direction of junction 63 of the A1(M). A short pursuit then followed but moments after joining the motorway officers made tactical contact with the car to bring it to a halt to ensure the safety of other motorists."
Injuries and response
The force added: "A man in his 50s and a woman in her 40s were arrested at the scene. Both have been taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries."
The North East Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to the crash at 2.43pm.
