A man has been questioned over a fatal Christmas Day crash on the A1 (M) near Darlington.
Emergency services were called to the A1 (M) in County Durham after the two vehicle crash, which happened at around 8.30pm. Police said the collision involved a white Ford Fiesta and a black Volkswagen Tiguan.
The passenger of the Fiesta, a woman in her 80s from the Durham area, suffered serious injuries and died at the scene. The driver, a man in his 80s, also from Durham, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
A man in his twenties from the Durham area, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has since been released under investigation. The crash is being investigated by North Yorkshire Police, and officers are appealing for information, reports Chronicle Live.
A spokesman said: “We’re appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage of the incident, which happened shortly after 8.30pm on the northbound carriageway between J57 and J58. We would like to thank the members of the public who assisted at the scene. We would like to hear from anyone who has not yet spoken to us who has dashcam footage or information about the incident, including anyone who witnessed the crash or saw either vehicle prior to the collision.”
A stretch of the motorway was closed until around 8am on Boxing Day while investigations took place and for National Highways to assess the road surface. It later opened in both directions but with a lane closure in place for a time.
Paramedics from both the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended. A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 8.38pm December 25 to a road traffic collision on the A1 motorway between junctions 57 and 58. We assisted Yorkshire Ambulance Service, who also responded to this incident, dispatching a paramedic ambulance, a doctor and a clinical team leader. All casualties were treated and conveyed by Yorkshire Ambulance Service.”
Anyone with information is asked to email mcit@northyorkshire.police.uk or jack.dodsworth@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference number 12240235160.
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