Car driver dies in crash with lorry

The A69 close to the Blenkinsopp Castle junction was shut for 16 hours after the crash

A car driver aged in his 70s has died in a crash with a lorry, which also led to the closure of a major road for more than 16 hours.

The collision happened shortly before 18:30 GMT on Friday on the A69 near to the junction for Blenkinsopp Castle in Brampton, between Greenhead and Haltwhistle at the border of Cumbria and Northumberland.

Northumbria Police said the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was driving a black Mercedes heading southbound when it crashed with a red HGV travelling in the opposite direction.

The passenger in the car, a woman in her 70s, was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The road was closed for several hours overnight but fully reopened just before 11:00.

A grey BMW and a black Volvo travelling westbound were also damaged as a result of debris from the collision, police said.

The North East Ambulance Service said it treated two patients at the scene.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service said it also sent fire crews from Haltwhistle, Allendale and Hexham.

Sergeant Dave Roberts of Northumbria Police said: "This is a busy road and we're particularly keen to speak with drivers who were travelling in the area at the time and anyone who may have dashcam footage."