A1 crash - fatalities sadly expected

People are feared to have been killed after a multi-vehicle crash in which a lorry caught fire on the A1.

It happened on the northbound carriageway at Bowburn, County Durham, at 6.20pm on Thursday.

Police said several vehicles had collided, including two lorries.

"Sadly, there appear to have been fatalities," said the force.

The road had been shut in both directions between Bradbury and Carrville while emergency services work at the scene.

It remains closed this morning, this is the latest from Highways England:

Highways England is advising drivers that the A1M in County Durham remains closed in both directions between Junction 60 (Bradbury) and Junction 62 (Durham).

Drivers are asked to avoid the area and allow extra time for their journeys.

North bound traffic is advised to follow the solid black square diversion symbol on road signs before exiting the A1M at Junction 60 (Bradbury Interchange) and take the third exit onto the A689 eastbound. They should then travel east on the A689 to its junction with the A177 and join the A177 northbound. From here continue on the A177 north towards Coxhoe. At the A688 junction (Metal Bridge) turn right and join the northbound A688 towards Bowburn (A1M). Drivers should then continue north on the A688 to re-join the A1M at Junction 61.

Drivers heading southbound are advised to follow the solid black diamond diversion symbol on road signs before exiting the A1M at Junction 63 (Chester-le-Street Interchange) and take the third exit onto the A167 southbound. Traffic should continue travelling south on the A167 passing Chester-le-Street and Durham before joining the A688 eastbound at Thinford roundabout. At this point drivers should follow the solid black circle diversion symbol on road signs to join the A177 south and continue south towards Sedgefield. At the A689 junction please join the A689 westbound and continue west to re-join the A1M at Junction 60. An alternative diversion is available for traffic heading southbound using local routes from J62.

Drivers with video of the incident are being urged to contact police and witnesses should call 101, quoting incident number 322 of July 15.

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