(Image: Northumbria Police)

Two men are in a critical condition in hospital after their white Ford Transit van collided with a wall on the Coast Road.

The incident happened in the early hours of December 10th at 1am. The van was travelling eastbound on the Coast Road between the junction with Sandyford Road and the Cradlewell Bypass.

Both the driver, 44, and the passenger, 38, were taken to hospital after suffering serious life-threatening injuries, according to Sergeant Pinner Rana, of Northumbria Police’s motor patrols unit.

Officers are supporting the families of the victims in what is a difficult time, police said.

Enquires into the incident are ongoing; anyone who may have seen what happened is being urged to contact the police.

“We have a few reports of the vehicle in the surrounding area before the collision took place but we still need to speak to people who may have seen what happened,” said a spokesperson.

“If anyone has dashboard camera footage of the vehicle in the minutes before the collision, or the crash itself, then please come forward and speak to police.

“Anyone else who may have seen the vehicle is also encouraged to contact police. Any information could be really helpful to the investigation.”

If you can assist police then call 101 quoting log 40 10/12/18 or report it online at www.northumbria.police.uk.