A major road in the North East was closed for 10 hours after a man fell from a bridge onto the carriageway.

Police shut a section of the A1 in both directions after receiving a report of concern for a man on a footbridge near Birtley, Gateshead, at around 2am.

Specialists tried to speak to him and police diverted traffic off the route.

Northumbria Police said the man fell from the bridge at around 12.10pm and was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

He suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Morning rush hour motorists faced long delays as officers closed the A1 southbound at junction 67 at Coalhouse roundabout and northbound at junction 66 at Eighton Lodge.

The A1 was fully reopened after the man was taken to hospital.

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