An off-duty paramedic was able to help two adults and two children to safety after their car overturned on the A19 on Saturday afternoon.
The four people had been travelling northbound, but their vehicle overturned. The fire service, police and ambulance service all attended - but by the time the fire service got there - at a point on the road near to Castle Eden and Peterlee - the four had been helped to safety by a passing paramedic.
No-one is thought to have suffered serious injuries - with the fire service reporting that the passengers had suffered minor injuries and ambulance service confirming two were taken to hospital.
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Michael Pearson of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Resuce Service said: "We were called at 5pm. One vehicle had overturned on the northbound carriageway - there had been two adults and two children inside. All four people were out of the vehicle by the time the fire service arrived. We got there in just under six minutes.
"Those in the vehicle were out of the vehicle and a passing off-duty paramedic had helped them. We arrived and administered first aid and they were transported to hospital at Sunderland Royal with minor injuries."
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the A19 northbound around the Castle Eden area shortly before 5pm this evening.
"We dispatched two ambulance crews who have transported two patients to Sunderland Royal Hospital."
Durham Constabulary has been approached for comment.
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