Two people die in Northumberland A1 crash involving HGV as one arrested

A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving

11:47, 15 Jan 2026Updated 11:50, 15 Jan 2026

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Police are appealing for witnesses after two people died in a collision on the A1(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Two people have died after a serious collision on the A1 in Northumberland [1] and a man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Emergency services were called to Buckton, between Belford and Haggerston, on Wednesday morning after reports that an HGV travelling northbound had collided with a Skoda and Audi both travelling southbound.

Four fire crews were called to the scene, including the specialist rescue unit from West Hartford, and the road was closed between the A697 at Alnwick Moor and the B6525 at Lowick for much of the day [2]. Northumbria Police confirmed on Thursday that the Skoda's driver and passenger have both died.

The driver, a man in his 60s, died at the scene.

The female passenger, also in her 60s, was taken to hospital but died of her injuries.

The driver of the HGV, a man in his 30s, suffered injuries not thought to be life threatening. He remains in hospital.

The driver of the Audi, a man in his 50s, remains in hospital for treatment of injuries which are not believed to be serious.

A man in his 30s has been arrested on causing death by dangerous driving, and remains in police custody.

Officers from Northumbria Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) have launched an appeal into the collision, and are particularly interested in hearing from those who have dashcam footage.

Sgt Dave Roberts of Northumbria Police said: "Our thoughts are firmly with the family and loved ones of the man and woman who have sadly died in this tragic incident. We will continue to offer their loved ones all of the support they need and ask that their privacy is respected at this time."

He added: "We are now appealing for any information and in particular, anyone with dashcam footage of the vehicles involved, to come forward.

We are particularly keen to speak with anyone who was travelling on the A1 around 7.40am yesterday in either direction and who may have seen what happened.

"If this was you, or you were in the area around the time of this collision, please come forward and speak with us. Any information you are able to provide could prove crucial to our enquiries."

A spokesperson for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 7:40am, Fire Control received calls about a collision on the A1 northbound near Belford, with the first fire appliance on scene at 7:55am.

"Appliances attended from Berwick, Seahouses, and Alnwick, supported by the Specialist Rescue Unit from West Hartford. Crews worked closely alongside Northumbria Police [3] and the North East Ambulance Service throughout the incident and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service left the scene at 8:56am."

Anyone with information is urged to gen in touch with Northumbria Police by sending a direct message on social media, by using the live chat and report forms on the Force's website, or by calling 101.

The crime reference number for the incident is NP-20260114-0160.

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