Tragedy as man dies after car crash on A689 near Bradbury

Emergency services were called to the A689, near Bradbury and the A1 Junction 60 services, on Thursday after a BMW was involved in a crash. The incident, which took place shortly after 9.20pm, saw the car strike the barriers before leaving the carriageway and coming to rest on the embankment. It is now known why the car hit the roadside barriers at this time.

Durham Police has confirmed that, despite the best efforts of 999 crews, the driver, a man aged in his 50s, was sadly pronounced dead. His family have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers. A road closure was put in place around 10pm on Thursday (June 5) while emergency services worked at the scene and reopened around 3am.

A full police statement said: "A man has sadly died following a road traffic collision last night. "Shortly after 9.20pm on Thursday, emergency services were called to the A689 close to Bradbury after witnesses reported a BMW car had for unknown reasons at this time struck the barriers on the side of the road and left the carriageway, before coming to rest on the embankment.

"Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the driver, a man in his 50's, was sadly confirmed dead.

"His family have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers.

"The road was closed while emergency services worked at the scene and reopened shortly after 3am."