An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving following a serious two-vehicle collision in Whitley Bay that left four people in hospital.
The incident occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, on the access road leading to St. Mary’s Lighthouse. Emergency services descended on the scene in force, with Northumbria Police, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) all attending the coastal site.
Three fire engines were dispatched from Byker and Tynemouth Community Fire Stations, arriving at the scene at approximately 8:25 p.m. Crews spent nearly an hour working alongside ambulance personnel, including a clinical team leader and the Hazardous Area Response Team, to secure the area and assist the casualties.
According to a spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service, four individuals were treated at the scene before being transported to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) in Cramlington. Police have since confirmed that all four suffered serious injuries, though they have stated these are not considered to be life-threatening.
Northumbria Police confirmed the arrest of the 18-year-old driver at the scene, stating he was taken into custody on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs. He has since been released on police bail as the investigation into the circumstances of the collision continues. The access road, which had been closed to allow for emergency vehicle access and subsequent recovery of the damaged vehicles, has now been reopened to the public.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “Emergency services attended and four people were taken to hospital for the treatment of serious injuries not described as life-threatening. An 18-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving whilst driving under the influence of drugs.”
Authorities are now urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who possesses relevant dashcam footage to come forward to assist with their ongoing inquiries. Information can be shared by sending a direct message to Northumbria Police via social media, using the reporting forms available on their official website, or by calling 101. Members of the public are asked to quote reference number 26000473381 when providing details.
The response highlighted the scale of the emergency, with the fire service remaining on-site until 9:22 p.m. while the area was cleared and made safe. While investigations into the crash remain in their early stages, the incident has served as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with driving under the influence, as police continue to build their case against the arrested teenager.
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