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Police officers suffered head injures and had to be cut from their car after a head on crash with a motorist who drove the wrong way down one of Newcastle’s busiest streets.

The 44-year-old Vauxhall Vectra driver then attempted to flee from the scene of the carnage on City Road, but was caught nearby and arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

Emergency services raced to the scene of the two vehicle smash, near to the junction with Pandon Bank and the upper entrance to the Quayside Car Park, just after 10.25pm on Wednesday night.

“Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the scene and two officers were taken to hospital to be checked over,” a spokesman for Northumbria Police said.

“The 44-year-old male driver of the Vauxhall Vectra ran off from the scene and was detained nearby. He has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and is also under investigation for driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

“A section of City road was closed to allow for emergency services to respond.

“Anyone who was in the area and who witnessed the collision should contact police on 101 ext 69191 quoting ref number on 1180 01/04/15.”

A spokesman for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue said crews from Elswick and Byker fire stations were called just after 10.40pm.

Almost an hour after the crash the area surrounding the police Vauxhall Astra and the dark blue Vauxhall Vectra was still swarming with emergency services.

Police set a perimeter around the crash of 50 yards, with officers on the scene blocking pedestrians from entering the Quayside car park via it’s City Road entrance and directing them to steps down to the Manor Chare.

The police officers were taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary for treatment following the crash.

“The two officers, who were the only people in the police car, suffered head injuries but they were not life threatening or serious, and they were discharged from hospital on Monday morning,” a Northumbria Police spokesman said.