Last updated at 10:53, Monday, 26 November 2012

The main A69 Brampton bypass was closed for almost eight hours after a serious accident.

The smash happened at about 3.15pm yesterday one mile east of the town.

It involved a white Mercedes Sprinter van, which was travelling west and a dark grey Volkswagen Golf car, travelling east.

The Golf driver, a 56-year-old man from the Tyne and Wear area, was cut free from his vehicle before being flown by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious head injuries.

The 47-year-old male van driver did not require hospital treatment. His vehicle spilled its cargo of window blinds onto the road.

Motorists were diverted through Brampton town centre and warned to expect delays.

At 9.30pm Cumbria police tweeted: "Van being recovered officers experiencing problems as the van has now spilled it's load. 1-2 hrs expected."

The road reopened shortly after 11pm.

Anyone who saw the collision should call the Northern Roads Policing Unit on 101.

First published at 16:28, Sunday, 25 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk