A woman has died and a man has been seriously injured after a road traffic collision on the A167 near Darlington this morning.
A vehicle containing a man and woman, both in their twenties, is said to have collided with a tree after coming off the A167 near Coatham Munderville at around 3am.
The woman, who was driving the car, has been announced as a fatality by Durham Constabulary, with the North East Ambulance Service also confirming that the passenger was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Read more: North East news LIVE: A167 closed in both directions due to serious incident near Darlington
The Great North Air Ambulance Service as well as County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service both also attended the incident.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary, said: "A woman has died following a serious collision in Darlington.
"Police were called to a one vehicle collision shortly after 3am this morning (June 17) on the A167, near Coatham Munderville. It is believed the vehicle, a Mercedes C Class left the road and collided with a tree.
"Sadly, the driver, a woman in her 20s died at the scene.
"The passenger, also a man in his 20s was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with serious injuries.
"Collision investigators are currently working at the scene and the road is expected to be closed for some time."
A spokesperson from NEAS added: "We were called at 3:13 this morning to a one vehicle road traffic collision on the A167 in Darlington. We dispatched two double crewed ambulances, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer and a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance.
"One patient was taken to James Cook Hospital."
The A167 between J59 A1 (M) and the White Horse Hotel remains closed as police remain at the scene whilst carrying out investigations, with motorists urged to find another route of transport.
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