A 17-year-old girl has died following a car crash on the A19 northbound carriageway, which also left a man in critical condition. The incident occurred on Monday evening between Seaham and the Herrington Interchange in Sunderland.

The girl was a passenger in a Vauxhall Corsa, driven by the man, when the vehicle veered off the road and collided with an object before catching fire. Emergency services were alerted to the scene at 23:03. Despite efforts to extinguish the blaze, the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was transported to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. Northumbria Police have informed the next-of-kin of both individuals involved in the crash.

Sgt John Sanderson from Northumbria Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit expressed condolences to the family of the deceased. He stated, "Firstly, we would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the teenager who has tragically passed away. We will offer them all of the support we can. A full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision is under way and a number of enquiries have already been carried out."

Sgt Sanderson also urged anyone with information, particularly those with dash cam footage, to come forward to assist in the investigation.

The North East Ambulance Service dispatched multiple units to the scene, including two ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, and a doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. One patient was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary for further treatment.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that two fire appliances were sent to the scene to extinguish the fire and provide emergency first aid. Crews arrived shortly after the emergency call and left the scene around 00:10.

The investigation into the crash continues as authorities seek to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident.