TWO people were taken to hospital following a three-vehicle crash this morning.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "We were contacted by the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service at 7.06am this morning to reports of a three-vehicle collision on the A183, at Chester Road, between Chester-le-Street and Bournmoor.

"The accident involved a Mini, a Vauxhall Astra and a Vauxhall Vectra and one man was cut free by firefighters.

"The driver of the Mini was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, although the patient’s condition is not thought to be serious.

"The driver of the Astra was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham for suspected whiplash injuries."

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 6.51am to attend a road traffic collision on the A183. 

"We dispatched two crews from the Hazardous Area Response Team and two double-crewed ambulances.

"One patient was transported by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, while another patient was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham."

The road was closed for several hours while emergency crews attended the scene and to allow debris to be cleared from the carriageway.