One man taken to hospital after emergency services cut roof off car following two-vehicle crash near Sunderland Travelodge

Two cars collided on St Michael's Way at around 11am and firefighters were at the scene of the incident for over two hours.

Three fire engines from Sunderland Central, North Moor and Marley Park stations, were called to the crash at 11.15am.

Firefighters cut the roof off one vehicle at the scene and a man was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital by ambulance.

Police were also in attendance and closed one lane of the A183 leading up to the Travelodge on roundabout, which caused traffic chaos in the city centre.

Drivers were urged to avoid the area during the incident by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, but the road has since reopened.

A North East Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We were called at 11.15am to a two vehicle road traffic collision on High Street West.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews and two hazard area response teams and an ambulance has taken a male patient to Sunderland Royal Hospital.”