A crash involving a Police Dogs Unit and a member of the public’s car shut the A66 westbound at the A19 for over an hour on Monday evening

The crash which took place at approximately 16:00pm on Bank Holiday Monday 27th of May completely closed the A66 westbound as it approaches the A19. Traffic was backed up to as far as the Newport Interchange as drivers were diverted on to the A19 North and Southbound to rejoin the A66 near Teesside Park.

Multiple officers from Cleveland Police’s Matrix Team responded and quickly closed off lanes on the A66 leaving Middlesbrough. The crash involved a Ford and a Cleveland Police Dog Unit car, eyewitnesses on social media stated they witnessed paramedics on scene treating the casualties from the Ford vehicle.

It is unclear on the condition of the dogs that would have been transported in the rear of the vehicle in specially adapted cages. it does appear most of the damage to the police vehicle is focused around the front end and wheel arch.

Vehicles involved were recovered and the road fully reopened just after 17:30pm traffic returned to normal shortly after.

This is a developing story and more will be published once it becomes available.