Driver taken to hospital and A1231 closed after lorry leaves the carriageway

The vehicle collided with a lamp-post after leaving the A1231 Wessington Way close to its junction with the A19.

The northbound sliproad from the A19 to the A1231 Way was closed but has since reopened. The westbound A1231 remains shut.

A Northumbria Police spokesman confirmed a number of traffic officers are at the scene to assist motorists and the closure is expected to remain in place for some time.

Diversions are in operation and recovery is on its way to remove the vehicle.

Drivers are advised to find an alternative route for the foreseeable future.

Highways England Tweeted shortly after 5pm today, Sunday, December 3: “The #A19 northbound exit slip road at #A1231 (#Hylton) is in the process of being CLOSED due to a LGV leaving the carriageway.

"The road will be closed for some time to allow Police to conduct their investigations and recovery to take place."

The agency subsequently added: “UPDATE Traffic can exit the #A19 northbound at the junction of the #A1231 (#Hylton). @northumbriapol have the westbound #A1231 CLOSED due to the traffic collision.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed one patient had been taken to Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital: “We received a call from police at five to four this afternoon.

"We dispatched a paramedic ambulance and we have taken one male patient to hospital.”

It is believed the lorry left the road after the driver suffered a medical episode and lost control.

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