THE driver injured in a car crash in Hebburn is still fighting for his life in hospital today.
The man, who has not been named, suffered life-threatening injuries when his car crashed into a telegraph pole.
Part of Hedgeley Road, Hebburn, was closed for more than an hour after the accident, just after 10.30am yesterday.
The 56-year-old was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital with what police called “potentially life-threatening injuries”.
His condition is today described as “serious, but stable”.
The accident happened after the Citroen Xsara the man was driving came off the road.
The car is believed to have clipped a bus shelter and severed wires on a telegraph pole outside The Kelly pub before coming to rest.
Residents reported hearing “a loud bang” as the car crashed outside the pub.
A spokesman for The Kelly said officers took away CCTV evidence from the pub after the crash.
A police collision investigation team was scrambled and officers launched an investigation at the scene.
Traffic was diverted off Hedgeley Road and along Milton Avenue after 10.30am.
Shop assistant Clair Welsh, who works in the Kelly Delhi, next to the pub, saw paramedics working on the injured driver.
She said: “I came outside after seeing flashing lights, and there was an ambulance near the damaged car.
“The driver was sitting in the passenger seat and the paramedics were treating him, although I couldn’t see how bad he was.”
No other vehicle was involved in the accident and police are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on the 101 non-emergency number.
Twitter: @terrykelly16