Man dies after being struck by ambulance near Sunderland

A man has died after being hit by an ambulance that was taking a patient to hospital near Sunderland, police said.

The vehicle was travelling on the northbound carriageway of the A19 and did not have its blue lights on when it hit the man shortly after 2am on Sunday.

The man, aged in his 30s, died at the scene.

Northumbria Police said the collision took place between the junctions for the A1018 and A690.

No one in the ambulance was injured and the driver, a man in his 40s, remained at the scene to assist police with inquiries, the force said.

North East Ambulance Service said: "Around 2am this morning, one of our ambulance crews was involved in a road traffic incident with a pedestrian on the A19 northbound, while transporting a patient and their partner to a nearby hospital.

"We dispatched a number of resources to the scene. The patient on board and their partner were transferred to another ambulance and taken to hospital for further treatment.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews attending, the patient injured as the result of the collision passed away at the scene."

The service added: "This is a hugely tragic incident for all involved."

Sergeant Ben Rutherford, of Northumbria Police, said: "Our thoughts are firmly with the family and loved ones of the man who has tragically died following this collision.

"We will continue to support them in any way that we can at this incredibly difficult time."

He said anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, "could prove key to our investigation and help provide answers for the man's loved ones".

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The force's road policing unit has launched an investigation and is appealing for any witnesses, or who have CCTV or dashcam footage, to come forward.

The man's next of kin have been informed.

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