Appeal after bus crash
4th March, 2010
The incident, half a mile south east of the junction with Pelton Lane, happened at 4.00pm last night.
The driver of a 28-seater coach owned by Moordale Coaches of Annfield Plain, suffered multiple injuries in the collision and was certified dead at the scene.
He is from the Chester-le-Street area but is not being named until all relatives have been informed.
Three passengers on his bus were injured.
A 69-year-old man, from Pelton Fell, suffered fractures to his pelvis and internal injuries. He was taken to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough by air ambulance where his condition today is described as "comfortable and stable."
The two other passengers, both women from Newfield and aged 72 and 50, suffered minor injuries. They were treated at the University Hospital of North Durham before being released.
The other bus, a 70-seater belonging to Nightingale Coaches of Stanley, was empty at the time. That driver is a 50-year-old man from Stanley.
He suffered serious internal injuries and was taken to Newcastle General Hospital where his condition today is described as "critical."
Following the collision the road was closed for six and a half hours.
Anyone who saw the incident is asked to contact PC Christine Wood of the Police Accident Unit on 0345 6060 365.
