Woman Dies After County Durham Crash

20 December 2011, 06:07 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A three car crash on the A689 near Newton Aycliffe on Monday has left one woman dead and another in hospital with a punctured lung.

It happened between Middridge Road and the A167 at Rushyford just before 11am and involved a Seat Leon, a Ford Fiesta and a Suzuki Grand Vita

The Seat was travelling east along the A689 when it's believed the driver tried to overtake a line of slow-moving traffic.

The Seat collided with the rear offside wheel of a Ford Fiesta, continued across onto the opposite carriageway and collided head on with a Suzuki Vitara. Both the Seat Leon and the Suzuki Vitara left the carriageway.

The driver of the Seat, 50-year-old Elizabeth Morgan, of Abbey Gardens, Willington, who was alone in the vehicle, suffered multiple injuries and was taken to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough where she later died.

The driver of the Suzuki Vitara, a 65-year-old woman from Rushyford, suffered a punctured lung and fractures to her ribs and an arm. She was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where her condition is described as "comfortable".

A passenger in the Suzuki, a 65-year-old man, also from Rushyford, sustained bruising and was also taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital but has now been released.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta, a 57-year-old woman from Chilton was uninjured. 

The road was closed for more than five hours following the crash.

Anyone who saw what happened or has any information should call Durham Constabulary's collision investigation unit on 0191 375 2159.