A woman in her 60s has died after a two-vehicle crash on the A69 between Hexham and Haydon Bridge.
The collision happened at about 1.20pm on Saturday, when a blue Volkswagen Tiguan travelling eastbound was involved in a crash with a black Honda travelling in the opposite direction. Northumbria Police said the woman, who was driving the Volkswagen, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Honda, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital after suffering serious injuries. Police said his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. The woman’s next of kin have been informed.
Emergency response and road closure
A significant emergency response attended the scene, involving Northumbria Police, the North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
North East Ambulance Service said it sent three emergency care ambulance crews, an air ambulance and a duty officer. Two patients were treated for serious injuries to the head and body before being taken to hospital.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service’s critical care team was activated at 1.35pm and arrived at 1.46pm. The team included two paramedics and a doctor. It worked alongside NEAS to assess and treat a patient, who was taken to hospital by road with the GNAAS team accompanying the journey.
The A69 remained closed until around 11pm, meaning the incident caused a prolonged disruption on the route between Hexham and Haydon Bridge.
Police appeal for witnesses
Northumbria Police’s serious collision investigation unit has launched a full investigation and is asking anyone who was travelling along the road at the time to come forward.
Officers are particularly interested in hearing from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage. Police said the stretch of road is busy and that many motorists may have been travelling in both directions when the collision happened.
“This is an incredibly tragic incident where a woman has lost her life. The thoughts of everyone here at Northumbria Police are with her loved ones. Our investigation is underway, and we are now appealing for further witnesses who we have not yet spoken with to come forward.”
Sgt Greg Huntley urged anyone who was in the area or had information that could assist the investigation to contact police.
The appeal follows the fatal collision reported on the A69 near Hexham. The source report does not provide a public contact method for witnesses.