The A1(M) was closed for hours after a serious crash involving a black Mercedes with a man aged 20 pronounced dead at the scene
Heavy traffic on the A1 after a crash near Chester-le-Street(Image: Newcastle Chronicle/Simon Greener)
A 20-year-old man died in a crash on the A1(M) on Sunday evening after a black Mercedes “struck the central reservation” shortly before 11pm on Sunday. Police confirmed that two other occupants of the vehicle were in hospital, one of whom, also 20-year-old man, has “life-threatening” injuries.
The man who died was pronounced dead at the scene – on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M) between Carville and Chester-le-Street. The third man suffered injuries described as “serious”.
The two injured men continue to receiving treatment at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. Durham Constabulary confirmed on Monday afternoon that the crash had killed one man.
His family had been informed, officers said, and were being supported. The road was closed for a significant period – re-opening shortly before 1pm on Monday.
A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: “A man has sadly died following a collision on the A1(M) last night. The incident happened on the northbound carriageway between junction 62, Carrville, and junction 63, Chester-le-Street, at around 10.50pm yesterday (April 26).
“A black Mercedes A Class is believed to have struck the central reservation before coming to rest on its roof. Three occupants were in the car at the time of the collision.
“A 20-year-old man sustained critical injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
“A second man, also aged 20, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle. His condition is described as critical. A third man sustained serious injuries and was taken to the same hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
“The road was closed in both directions for several hours while collision investigators worked at the scene. It has since reopened.”
The police has also now appealed for witnesses to the incident – including those who may have dash-cam footage, to come forward. The force spokesperson added: “Officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or anyone who may have dashcam footage of the vehicle prior to the incident.
“Anyone with any information should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit by emailing sciu@durham.police.uk, or call 101 quoting incident number 516 of April 26.”
Earlier, a North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call from police on 26 April 2026 at 22.53 to reports of a serious RTC on A1 north near junction 62, Chester le Street.
“We sent six resources to the scene including a duty officer, Hazardous Area Response Team, a doctor and emergency ambulance crews, which began arriving at the scene from 22.59 onwards. We took two male patients to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, one of which was in a critical condition, for further treatment.”
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