Three arrested following police car smash in Murton street - as two officers taken to hospital

Officers were in pursuit of a Ford Focus in the Murton area when the suspect vehicle rounded a corner into West Coronation Street and collided head on with a Peugeot patrol car, which was in the vicinity.

Paramedics and the fire service were called to the scene at around 1am on Thursday, June 17 and two police constables were cut free from the car.

The pair were taken to hospital for treatment with one officer suffering a suspected broken wrist and rib and hip injuries, while the other was treated for minor injuries. Both have been released after treatment.

Three people – two men and one woman – have now been arrested in connection with the incident and the road was closed for eight hours so the scene could be forensically examined.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “A man in his 40s and a woman in her early 30s were both arrested on suspicion of taking a car without the owner’s consent and other driving offences. The woman was also arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs.

“Both were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure and were released back into police custody.

“A man has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and police inquiries are ongoing.”

The wreckage has been removed and the road has reopened.

Officers investigating the incident are calling for anyone with information to call Peterlee CID on 101 quoting incident number 0023 of June 17.

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