Collision investigators give update after elderly man taken to hospital after crash on A1231 and A19 roundabout

An elderly man taken to hospital after his car crashed into traffic lights on a major roundabout in Sunderland remains in a critical but stable hospital, police have confirmed.

By Fiona Thompson

Published 22nd Apr 2021, 08:54 BST

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Northumbria Police issued the update today, Thursday, April 22, as it continues to investigate the crash at the signals on the A1231 roundabout, which connects traffic between Wessington Way and the Sunderland Highway and the A19.

It happened shortly after 1.45pm yesterday and involved a single vehicle, a navy blue Volkswagen.

The man, who is aged in his 80s, was taken to hospital in a serious condition, where he remains today.

A still taken from a video shared by @NELiveTraffic, showing how police closed off the roundabout between the A1231 and A19 following the crash.

A still taken from a video shared by @NELiveTraffic, showing how police closed off the roundabout between the A1231 and A19 following the crash.

The road was closed for some time while a clear-up operation was carried out to clear the road.

Crash investigators have appealed for help as they establish the circumstances of the incident, with anyone who saw what happened or captured footage on their dashcam asked to get in touch.

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Sergeant Neil Graham, of Northumbria Police, said as inquiries started: “This is a serious incident that happened on a busy road when lots of other vehicles will have been around.

Traffic was diverted in the area following the collision.

Traffic was diverted in the area following the collision.

“I am asking anybody who witnessed the collision to come forward and speak to us, and if you were in the area at the time then please check your dashcam footage and look out for a navy blue Volkswagen.

“The driver has been taken to hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.

"His next of kin have been informed.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the Tell Us Something page of the force’s website or by calling 101 quoting log 524 210421.

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