In a road traffic accident on Wednesday at approximately 5.50pm, in Thornley Lane Winlaton, Gateshead, the 20 year old driver of a Ford Fiesta hit a tree and then hit a hedge. As a result he suffered head injuries, was knocked unconscious and suffered a cardiac arrest.

The young driver was cut from the car by the fire service from Gateshead North, put on a spinal board and taken to Newcastle General Hospital by air ambulance, where he is said to be in a critical condition.

There were two fire appliances which attended the scene. A rear seat passenger was removed from the car after the roof had been cut away. The 23 year old rear seat car passenger was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead with a broken leg.

There was also a front seat passenger involved in the car accident who did not need to go to hospital.

We do not know at this time what caused the driver to leave the road and hit a tree and bush, causing injuries to himself and his passengers.

We can be contacted on 0845 10 88 333 or by clicking: Car Accident Gateshead.