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Death crash latest: driver fights for life
A bus driver has died and a coach driver was today fighting for his life after a horrific head-on collision.
The driver of the Moordale Coaches vehicle, who was from Chester-le-Street, died instantly in the smash.
His three passengers – including two pensioners – were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The 50-year-old driver of the empty Nightingale's coach suffered critical head injuries, chest injuries and a broken leg.
He was cut free from the wreckage by firefighters and was flown by Great North Air Ambulance to Newcastle General Hospital.
The accident happened in North View, Newfield, Chester-le-Street, at about 4pm yesterday.
Dad-of-two Kevin Graham, 44, who lives opposite the crash site, raised the alarm and was first on the scene.
He said: "I didn't see anything, but I heard it. It was like a bomb going off. I immediately called 999."
He said: "I didn't see anything, but I heard it. It was like a bomb going off. I immediately called 999."
Emergency services responded in force with seven ambulances, two air ambulances, four fire engines, a special fire and rescue response unit and several police officers.
William Robinson, 47, of North View, who works for the railways, tried to help the injured. He said: "The driver of the bus was slumped across the handrail.
"He was in a very poor condition. We tried to get the doors open and in the end we had to go in through the back.
"The driver had no pulse and obviously he had died straightaway."
The bus passengers, a 69-year-old man, and two women aged 72 and 50, of Newfield, were all taken to hospital by ambulance with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The man, from Pelton Fell, suffered fractures to his pelvis and internal injuries and was taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment where he was today described as comfortable and stable.
The other two, described as the "walking wounded", were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham but have since been released.
Chief Inspector Colin Williamson, of Durham Constabulary, said the cause of the crash was still unknown.
He said: "What we are trying to find out is why the buses were on the same side of the road.
"The minibus had just stopped to pick up passengers from the bus stop nearby.
"We are not sure where the private hire bus was travelling from or where it was going."
Matty Cairnes, 56, of South View, there were often accidents on the stretch of road but this was the worst he had ever seen.
He said: "We've been trying for years to get the police to do something we've had petitions and everything."
Group manager John Robson, of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, praised the way emergency services worked together to get the injured to hospital as quickly as possible.
Anyone with information is asked to call PC Christine Wood of the police accident unit on 03456 060365.
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
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