A MAN and a woman were airlifted to hospital following a serious crash.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) said the man, who was driving one of two vehicles involved, suffered multiple life-threatening injuries.
After treatment from the GNAAS trauma team the 67-year-old from South Shields was flown to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he arrived in a critical condition.
Police confirmed that the woman, 67, who was in the same car - a Nissan Qashqai - and is also from South Shields, was also taken to hospital in Middlesbrough with serious injuries.
A Dutch-registered Renault Master van was also involved.
A 44-year-old man from Holland, who was driving the van, has been arrested on suspicion of causing a serious injury by dangerous driving.
His passenger was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary with minor injuries following the collision near Whinfell on the A66, which happened at shortly before 11am.
Collision investigation work has been carried out and the road is now open.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision to contact PC Euan Stitt of the North Cumbria Mobile Support Group on 101.
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