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Seven officers out of hospital after police crash

Evie Lake
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
PA Media Three police cars in the middle of the empty A1. The one in the middle is damaged from the back. A black BMW is in front of the damaged police car and debris is surrounding them. Another police car can be seen in the distance badly damaged with no roof. Parts of a black car can be seen to the right of the picture. PA Media
Seven police officers were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries

All seven officers injured in a crash following a police pursuit on the A1 have been released from hospital.

Five police vehicles were involved in the crash with a BMW near Denton Burn, Newcastle, just before 02:30 BST on Wednesday, Northumbria Police said.

A man and woman were arrested at the scene, but have been released on police bail.

The A1 was closed in both directions across the River Tyne, between Swalwell in Gateshead and Denton, for almost 13 hours following the crash.

The man, in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The woman, also in her 20s, will face no action for her original arrest on suspicion of aiding dangerous driving, but is being investigated over drug allegations.

PA Media Two blue-and-yellow checked police cars side by side, the one on the right is badly damaged. A police car door is leaning against the central reservation of the road and debris surrounds the cars. The top of a black car can be seen in front of the police vehicles, along with another black car to the right which is on its side. The lights on the roof of a third police vehicle are also visible close to the central barrier.PA Media
Five police vehicles were involved in the crash on the A1 near Denton Burn in Newcastle

Northumbria Police said officers attempted to stop the BMW in the Whickham area of Gateshead at about 02:00, over "concerns about the manner it was being driven".

It was later seen in the Swalwell area and a pursuit was "authorised", with the crash happening about two miles north on the other side of the river.

The officers were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and the two occupants of the BMW were not injured.

As well as the dangerous driving claim, the arrested man is being investigated on suspicion of failing to stop when required by police and having no insurance.

The woman held with him has been granted bail pending further inquiry into the suspected possession of Class A and B drugs.

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