Dual carriageway closed after coach smashes into wall

The scene of the collision on the A66 earlier today. Photo by Cleveland Police.

Cleveland Police are still on the scene of a collision involving a coach which took place at around 7.50am on the A66 eastbound at the turnoff with the A172 near North Ormesby.The force has now said it will be closed until at least 4pm today, due to temporary barriers being installed following a collision involving the vehicle.

The woman driver of the coach, who was the only person on board, has been taken to James Cook University Hospital with leg injuries.

The coach being recovered from the A66. Photo by Cleveland Police.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "The eastbound carriageway will then be reduced to one lane to accommodate the temporary barrier.

"This is likely to last several days.

"Motorists can still leave the A66 at the turn offs for Cineworld or the A172, however, delays can be expected.

"Motorists are asked to use alternative routes where possible."

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA) said: "This morning at 8.10am we were called to assist the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) on the A66, Middlesbrough, where a bus had crashed.

"A woman, believed to be in her 40s, had sustained multiple injuries and was assessed and treated by the GNAAS paramedic and doctor team.

"The patient was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by a NEAS road crew, accompanied by the GNAAS team and she arrived in a stable condition."

Traffic was diverted via the A172 or, alternatively, motorists can use the Cineworld turn off.