A severe crash on the A1 involving several police vehicles has closed the road, causing traffic chaos in Newcastle. The incident, which occurred around 2.30am, has led to the closure of the road in both directions between Swalwell and Denton, with a police investigation underway. Images from the scene depict numerous damaged police cars strewn across the roadway alongside a significant amount of debris that must be cleared before reopening the thoroughfare. Five people were rushed to hospital after the crash. 

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 2.29am on Wednesday, 9 April, to reports of a road traffic collision on the A1 northbound near Denton, Newcastle. We dispatched five ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, two crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who attended by road. Five patients were transported to hospital for further treatment."

A Northumbria Police spokesperson commented: "Shortly before 2.30am today (Wednesday) we received a report of a multi-vehicle collision on the A1 northbound near the Derwent Haugh Road junction, Gateshead. Emergency services are currently in attendance. A section of the road is closed in both directions, there are diversions in place from the Derwent Haugh Road junction northbound, and the A69 roundabout southbound."

Details regarding the cause of the crash remain unclear at this time; the Daily Express has reached out to Northumbria Police for details. The North East Ambulance Service has confirmed that five individuals were taken to hospital after the serious collision. The Great North Air Ambulance also attended the scene, reports Chronicle Live.

In a statement, a North East Ambulance Service spokesperson disclosed: "We received a call at 2.29am on Wednesday 9 April to reports of a road traffic collision on the A1 northbound near Denton, Newcastle.

"We dispatched five ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, two crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who attended by road. Five patients were transported to hospital for further treatment."

The aftermath of the crash has caused significant disruption, with severe congestion on Scotswood Road and other sections of the A1. Traffic flow in and out of Newcastle city centre is also heavily affected due to the close proximity of the accident.

The latest update on the National Highways website is as follows: "Due to the severity of the collision a full Northumbria Police investigation is underway and they advise that it will be protracted."

"The road is expected to remain closed in both directions in to the afternoon of Wednesday 9th April. There is no official diversion route for this section of the A1. As such road users are urged to plan their route in ahead using alternative roads."