POLICE investigating a crash on Whinfield Road, Darlington, believe it was caused by a driver being taken ill at the wheel.

The collision, between a Vauxhall Tigra and Mercedes 160, happened on Christmas Day and led to a stretch of the road being closed at around 6.15pm.

Ambulances and fire engines attended the scene and Chief Inspector Chris Reeves of Darlington Police said it appears the crash happened after the Mercedes driver fell ill whilst driving.

He said the driver needed hospital treatment, but nobody else was seriously injured in the accident.