One patient airlifted to hospital and four others injured in A179 crash involving a car, van and a bin lorry

Five people in total required medical attention. A Great North Air Ambulance spokesman said that one injured person has been taken to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Two other people were taken to hospital by ambulance; one to James Cook Hospital, with the other casualty taken to North Tees General. Two others were treated at the scene by paramedics, but neither of them was taken to hospital.

The incident was reported to emergency services at 4.19pm on Tuesday.

Highways England confirmed shortly after 9.30pm that the road had been cleared.

The accident involved a car, a bin lorry and a van. The car was on its side. Two appliances from Cleveland Fire Brigade attended, as did two recovery vehicles, three paramedic ambulances and four hazardous area response team (HART) vehicles.

Both north and south bound exit slip roads from the A19 to the A179 were closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.

The bus company Arriva North East has said in a tweet that its Durham to Hartlepool service was diverted.

This was due to another road closure on the A179 Hart bypass.

The company said that “significant delays are to be expected” on the roads in the area.