A MOTORIST who died in a crash near Sedgefield yesterday lunchtime (Thursday, December 12) has been identified.

Durham police have confirmed that he was Scott Ineson, from Milton Avenue, in Hebburn, South Tyneside.

The 26-year-old was driving a Ford Fiesta Zetec which collided head-on with a Skoda Fabia on the westbound carriageway of the A689, around half a mile east of junction 60 of the A1(M), at 12.30pm.

The Skoda driver, a 64-year-old woman from Durham, remains in The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with chest and abdominal injuries.

Her condition is classed as serious but stable. Her passenger, a 41-year-old man who is also from Durham, is at the same hospital with what are thought to be minor injuries.

Police have appealed for any witnesses who have not already come forward to contact the road policing unit on 101.