Last updated at 08:34, Friday, 15 February 2013

A MOTORIST had to be anaesthetised at the scene after a crash on a Cumbrian road.

Both carriageways of the A66 at Penruddock and the Becksis junction were closed following the collision just after 10.30am today.

The incident involved two vans – a white Peugeot panel van and a white Vauxhall Vivaro van – which were travelling in opposite directions.

Police are attempting to trace the driver of a blue BMW in the area around 10.30am, which is believed to have been involved in the incident.

The collision occurred around two miles east of The Sportsman Pub on the A66.

As a result of the collision, the driver of the Vivaro, a 53-year-old Carlisle man, was taken to Cumberland Infirmary with injuries that are described as non-life threatening.

The passenger in this van, a 23-year-old man also from Carlisle, was taken by air ambulance to James Cook hospital with very serious injuries. He is described as being in a critical condition. The Great North Air Ambulance said he had sustained serious head injuries and was anaesthetised at the scene to aid his recovery.

He was flown to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for specialist treatment. The cross-Pennine flight took 25 minutes and the patient arrived in a critical condition.

The driver of the Peugeot van, an 33-year-old Preston man, suffered back and rib injuries and was taken to Cumberland Infirmary.

Both vehicles have been seized by police, and the road remains closed while a thorough investigation is carried out by police officers from the collision investigation unit and Headquarters Roads Policing Unit.

Sergeant Graeme Hodgson said: “We have identified several witnesses to the collision who state that a blue BMW which was driving along the road at the time may well have been involved in the collision. It may be that the driver is unaware that a collision took place, but it is vital that we trace this vehicle, and the driver, in case they have important information about this morning’s incident.

“We have a number of enquiries ongoing to trace the vehicle and we are currently examining and enhancing video footage captured by a passing goods vehicle which we believe has an image of the BMW.

“If you were driving a blue BMW car along the A66, please contact us immediately on 101. Or, if you witnessed the collision and haven’t yet spoken to police, please come forward.”

The road remains closed. It is anticipated it will re-open in the next hour.

First published at 11:16, Thursday, 14 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk