Unconscious driver cut free from flipped car by firefighters after crash on Redheugh Bridge

Emergency services responded to a man who was trapped inside an overturned car on the bridge on Friday morning

An unconscious driver had to be rescued by firefighters from his flipped vehicle following a crash on the Redheugh Bridge.

Emergency services were called to the A189 in the early hours of Friday morning after a car had overturned onto its roof.

Police initially closed the southbound carriageway to traffic before closing the bridge in both directions.

The male driver had been knocked unconscious as a result of the one-vehicle collision and was trapped inside the wrecked car.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service dispatched crews from Newcastle Central and Gateshead to the scene where firefighters used Holmatro equipment to cut him free.

He was handed into the care of paramedics who transported him to hospital for further treatment.

It is understood that he sustained non-life threatening injuries.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called at 4.35am to a one-vehicle collision on the Redheugh Bridge on Friday.

"We dispatched a double-crewed ambulance and a Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.

"One unconscious male patient was trapped in the vehicle. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary by road ambulance."

Northumbria Police confirmed the Redheugh Bridge was reopened to traffic at 6.35am.