What happened on the A19 in Sunderland on Tuesday?
by Adam Foster · ChronicleLiveTraffic delays, diversions and lengthy queues affected the A19 for much of Tuesday following two separate incidents close to each other during the morning.
The first incident was a collision which happened at around 6.30am on the northbound route near the South Hylton area. One person was treated at the scene and another was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for further treatment.
This collision resulted in major rush hour traffic delays, with National Highways operating a diversion and the road closed for a time in both directions. Traffic was impacted from the A1231 Sunderland Highway (North Hylton) to the A184 Newcastle Road (Testo's Roundabout, West Boldon).
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 6.36am [on Tuesday] to reports of a road traffic incident on the A19 northbound near Sunderland. We dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene, and treated and discharged one patient on-scene. One other patient was transported to Sunderland Royal hospital for further treatment.”
Northumbria Police also confirmed they were called to the scene shortly after 6.30am on Tuesday following the report of a collision on the A19 northbound near the South Hylton area of Sunderland.
The second incident happened shortly after 8.20am on Tuesday. Northumbria Police received a report of a concern for the welfare of a man on the A19 northbound near the Hylton Grange Interchange.
Emergency services attended and the road was closed in both directions. Sadly a man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene.
While enquiries are at an early stage, police confirmed later on Tuesday that they are investigating the incident as a suspected hit-and-run from overnight on Monday, involving a vehicle where the driver left the scene. The vehicle involved is believed to be a 2014 or more recent Spirit Blue Ford Fiesta car and police launched an appeal to trace this vehicle.
The A19 was closed in both directions between Testo's roundabout and Hylton Grange Interchange following this incident. Officers from Northumbria Police's Roads Policing Unit have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
They are particularly keen for any information on vehicles matching the description potentially showing damage, and to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage or CCTV of the moments leading up to the collision. Sergeant Dave Roberts of Northumbria Police said: "This is a tragic incident where a man has sadly died.
"We have launched a full investigation to determine the chain of events which led to his death. Our enquiries are at an early stage, but we are currently treating this as a suspected hit-and-run incident involving a blue Ford Fiesta car.
"We would ask people to remain vigilant and be mindful of any vehicles matching the description that might be recently damaged in their communities. We are also looking to speak to any witnesses who have travelled in the area overnight and have dashcam footage.
"We would also appeal directly to the driver of the vehicle to come forward. Any information – no matter how insignificant it may seem – could prove vital in helping us ascertain exactly what took place."
Northumbria Police urged anyone with information to get in touch by sending a private message on social media, visiting the live chat and report forms on the Force website, or calling 101; quoting reference number NP-20241203-0186.
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