A BUS driver was taken to hospital and two passengers suffered minor injuries in an accident on a motorway slip road today (Tuesday, March 18).

The number seven Arriva bus came off the road at the top of the southbound slip road at junction 59 of the A1, near Darlington, at about 1.30pm.

The nature of the driver's injuries are unknown.

Nick Knox, area managing director for Arriva North-East, said: “We can confirm that one of our buses was involved in an incident this afternoon.

“We believe that two of our passengers suffered minor injuries and our driver has been taken to hospital.

“Managers have been present at the scene and we will be working with the police to ascertain exactly what happened.”

The number seven bus covers the Darlington to Durham City route.

The slip road was closed for two hours following the accident.