Man and boy killed in car crash

Police said they were unsure how the vehicle came off the road

A man and a boy have died in car crash, which has closed part of a major road.

It happened on John Reid Road, South Shields, near to the New Mill Inn, on Saturday at about 20:55 BST, Northumbria Police said.

A man in his 40s and a secondary school-aged boy, who were in the white Skoda Octavia, sustained serious injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said a man, in his 30s, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Specially trained officers are supporting the next of kin of those who died, the force said.

An investigation is continuing into how the car came off the road.

Witnesses are being asked to contact police

The road is currently closed in both directions as part of the inquiry.

Sgt Steve Armstrong, of Northumbria Police, said: "Our thoughts are firmly with the family and loved ones of both the man and the boy who died in this tragic collision.

"We continue to offer them all of the support we can at this devastating time."

He urged anyone with any information or dashcam footage to contact the force.

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said several of its crews were deployed to the scene and were supported by the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

"One patient was taken to the RVI hospital by road for further treatment," they said.