A man has suffered head injuries after being knocked over by a van in Consett.
Emergency services remain on scene outside the Cricketers pub on Durham Road following the serious collision on Wednesday morning.
The road is expected to stay closed for several hours while police carry out investigations.
The pedestrian has now been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for treatment.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "Drivers are being urged to avoid Durham Road in Blackhill, near Consett which has been closed due to a serious accident this morning.
"A pedestrian has suffered serious injuries after being involved in a collision with a van shortly before 9.15am today.
"Police and the air ambulance are present and drivers are asked to avoid the area to help us treat the casualty and manage the scene."
A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service added: "We were called at 9.07pm to a patient injured outside of the Cricketers pub.
“We dispatched a double-crewed ambulance, one Hazardous Area Response Team and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
"A male patient has been taken to the RVI by road with head injuries."
