Two casualties were rushed to hospital following a two-vehicle collision on the A19.

They were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital following the incident on the northbound carriageway, near Hawthorn, although neither is believed to have suffered serious injuries.

Durham Constabulary said in a statement on Thursday morning: “We were called to reports of a two-vehicle road traffic collision just before 9am this morning on the northbound carriageway of the A19 just before Easington Services.

“The ambulance service and National Highways also attended.

A library picture of the northbound A19, near Easington Services, where a collision took place on August 13.

placeholder image — A library picture of the northbound A19, near Easington Services, where a collision took place on August 13.

“No one is thought to have been seriously injured and officers stood down just before 10am.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We received a call at 8.54am on Thursday, 13 August, to reports of a road traffic incident on the A19, near Hawthorn.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews and a clinical leader to the scene.

“Two patients were treated and discharged on-scene, and two more were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for further treatment.”