Horses involved in A1(M) Washington Services incident
The motorway southbound was closed southbound between Washington and Birtley at about 8.45am on Saturday (July 5) after reports of a "fault" with a horse truck. Police, six fire crews including a rescue unit descended on the motorway. A picture taken from a passing vehicle showed the engines parked up in the normally fast-moving lanes.
Three horses involved in the incident were transported elsewhere. The condition of the animals is not known. 
A Tyne and Wear Fire Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 8.52am by the police, and we had six appliances on scene. One of them was a heavy rescue. We have since left the scene.
"It involves three horses who have been transported elsewhere in another box." The road re-opened at about 11am. A Northumbria Police spokesperson previously said: "Shortly after 8.45am today (Saturday), we were called to assist with a vehicle on the A1 southbound, near to Washington Services.
"Emergency services are currently in attendance at the scene where a truck carrying horses has experienced a vehicle fault.
"A section of the road is closed in both directions to allow for recovery to take place.
"Motorists are advised to seek an alternative route where possible."