Three separate crashes on the A1 have caused major traffic disruption around Washington and Birtley.
The first collision happened just after 1.30pm on Friday when police were called to a single vehicle crash on the A1 north near the Washington services.
A BMW has crashed into the central barrier but the driver was not seriously injured and no other vehicles were involved.
Just a few minutes later a crash involving a two lorries and car happened on the southbound carriageway in the same area.
The North East Ambulance Service sent two Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) to the scene at 1.44pm.
However nobody involved required any treatment.
A third crash took place at the A194 slip road on the northbound side of the road near to Birtley just before 2.30pm.
Two cars were involved and the A194 slip road was closed by police until the cars could be recovered.
Another HART vehicle was called to the crash and one person was treated at the scene before being taken home by police.
Traffic is still severely delayed in both directions of the A1 around the A194 junction.
