Northumbria Police have issued an update following a dramatic police pursuit in Gateshead, which ended in a multi-vehicle collision early this morning. Seven police officers were injured, and two people have been arrested after a BMW collided with five police vehicles.
The incident took place shortly before 2:30 am on Tuesday, 9 April, on the northbound carriageway of the A1 near the Derwent Haugh Road junction. Officers had been pursuing a dark grey BMW M Sport after it failed to stop. During the pursuit, the BMW and five police vehicles became involved in a crash.
Seven officers were taken to hospital following the collision. Four have since been discharged, two remain under observation, and one is receiving treatment for a leg injury. Northumbria Police have extended their well-wishes to all injured officers, wishing them a full recovery.
The two occupants of the BMW, both in their 20s, were not injured. A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, while a woman has been arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving. Both remain in police custody.
A section of the A1 remains closed in both directions as investigators continue their work at the scene. Diversions are in place from the Derwent Haugh Road junction northbound and from the A69 roundabout southbound.
Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police quoting reference NP-20250409-0047.
