A1 accident: Road closed in both directions north of Morpeth due to major accident between HGV and car

The Twitter alert issued by National Highways this afternoon.

The accident happened at around 2.30pm today (Monday). A spokesman for National Highways North East said: “The A1 in Northumberland is closed in both directions between the A697 (Morpeth) and the A1098 (Alnwick).”

Northumbria Police confirmed it was in attendance following a collision on the southbound carriageway, and that the A1 was likely to remain closed “for several hours”.

A force spokesman added: “Motorists travelling north should take A697 and rejoin the A1 at Felton. Those travelling south should take the A1068 and A189, and then rejoin.

A map on the AA Roadwatch website indicates the road is still closed at 4.55pm today.

A spokesman for the North East Ambulance Service said it was called to the scene shortly before 2.30pm, and requested support from the air ambulance, which was dispatched. A patient was flown to the RVI for treatment.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue sent two appliances from Pegswood and a special rescue service from West Hartford. They freed one man from the wreckage.

North East Live Traffic Tweeted: “Diversions have been put in place on the A1 at the A697 at Morpeth and at Fenrother following the RTC between Hebron and Morpeth where the carriageway is expected to be closed for several hours.”