Three people were taken to hospital after a police patrol car crashed into another vehicle while officers were on a convoy 'exercise'.

Durham Police have confirmed an investigation has been launched after the collision on the A689 Newton Cap, Bishop Auckland, at around 3.10pm on Monday (May 15).

They said three police cars and a prison van were travelling in the direction of the town centre on an exercise and were using blue lights and sirens at the time.

They said the collision occurred when a Kia Rio travelling in the opposite direction collided with one of the police vehicles.

Two officers and a third Durham Constabulary employee were injured in the incident and taken to hospital for treatment, but have since been released.

An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named said: “There were three marked police vehicles and what appeared to be a prison van driving in convoy towards Bishop Auckland on the A689.

“The leading police vehicle overtook a line of traffic and stopped just before the bridge.

“The cars driving towards Bishop Auckland were stopped and officer waved out of the driver’s window, signalling the rest of the convoy through.

“However a car coming from the opposite direction was not stopped and collided head-on with the lead police vehicle."

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at around 3.10pm on Monday (May 15) afternoon to reports of a collision on the A689 Newton Cap, Bishop Auckland.

"Three police cars and a prison van were travelling in the direction of the town centre on an exercise and were using blue lights and sirens.

"The collision occurred when a Kia Rio travelling in the opposite direction collided with one of the police vehicles.

"Two police officers and a third Durham Constabulary employee were injured and were taken to hospital for treatment but have since been released.

"No-one else was hurt. An investigation is ongoing."