Police chase of suspected stolen car ends in crash
BBCA man has been arrested and four people taken to hospital after a car being chased by police crashed.
Cleveland Police tried to stop a red Hyundai, believed to have been stolen overnight, shortly after 11:00 BST.
The force said the driver failed to stop and a pursuit took place, which led to a crash on the A1027 westbound carriageway, off the A19 near Billingham, Teesside.
A woman, who was seriously injured, and two men, as well as a man in another car, were taken to hospital. A 20-year-old man, from Billingham, was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and theft of a vehicle.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We dispatched four double-crewed ambulances, a clinical team leader and were supported by Great North Air Ambulance's response car.
"Three patients were taken to North Tees Hospital and another was taken to James Cook Hospital."
Police said another man in the Hyundai fled the scene and officers have been carrying out searches, as the investigation continued.
The force confirmed a road closure was in place on the A1027 between A19 Wolviston Road/Bypass in both directions, and advised drivers to avoid the area.
In line with mandatory procedures, the force said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).