Two drivers have been taken to hospital after being injured in a three-car crash.
Police were called to the collision at around 7am on Wednesday on the A183 at Chester-le-Street.
A silver Vauxhall Vectra, red Vauxhall Astra and a Mini Cooper were involved and the road had to be shut while emergency services worked at the scene.
The driver of the Mini was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle and the driver of the Astra was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham with minor injuries.
The driver of the Vectra was not injured.
As recovery was taking place, the road was closed between the A1 junction 63 slip road and the A1052 Houghton Gate before reopening at around 11am.
The A1052 was also closed by Durham police to assist with traffic management following the crash on the A183 nearby.
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 6.51 to a road traffic collision on the A183.
"We dispatched two crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team and two double-crewed ambulances.
"One patient was taken to the RVI and another to the University Hospital of North Durham."
