A man has died after a motorcycle he was a passenger on crashed in the early hours of Saturday morning following a police pursuit.
The man, who has not been named. died at the scene of the incident in Passfield Way, Peterlee. The motorcyclist who had been at the wheel is in a critical condition after being taken to James Cook University Hospital, police said.
Durham Constabulary confirmed the incident occurred "following a brief pursuit by officers after it [the motorbike] failed to stop.
Read more: Gateshead woman 'forced out of her home' by 8ft crack in her living room wall
Both the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and the North East Ambulance Service also attended the scene. Neither of the men involved has been named at this stage.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "A man has died following a road traffic collision in Peterlee in the early hours of this morning. Two men on a motorbike crashed in Passfield Way, just after 2.30am, following a brief pursuit by officers after it failed to stop.
"Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the pillion passenger sadly died at the scene. Durham Constabulary would like to express our condolences to his family and friends.
"The driver was also seriously injured and taken to James Cook University Hospital where he remains in a critical condition. The road was closed for several hours whilst specialist collision investigators carried out their enquiries. It is now reopen."
Anyone with information that could assist the police is asked to contact the force's collision investigation team on 01325 742702 or email catherine.iley@durham.police.uk with contact details.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called by the police at 02.38h this morning to attend a road traffic collision involving a motorbike near the the roundabout next to Passfield Way and Donerstone Grove.
"We dispatched two paramedic crews, a doctor, a clinical team leader and duty officer who took one patient to hospital."
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue's duty group manager Paul Cummings said: "On the March 25 2023 at 2.47am two appliances from Peterlee Fire Station were mobilised to a road traffic collision in Passfield Way, Peterlee. The incident involved a motorcycle with two males. We assisted the ambulance service at the scene. "
READ NEXT:
- 'Beautiful' Whitley Bay named best place to live in northern England by The Times
- Government pothole pledge 'falls far short' as Newcastle still faces £184m repairs backlog
- Walker care home in special measures after 'unacceptable' management failings
- Former Gateshead school set to be demolished to make way for new housing estate
- Labour row as mayor's event with Ken Loach branded 'hugely upsetting' to Jewish community
