Police are appealing for witnesses after a man died in a collision in Darlington in the early hours of this morning.
Officers were called to a multi-vehicle collision at about 6.45am on the A167 at Beaumont Hill.
One man was confirmed dead at the scene.
A woman was taken to James Cook university Hospital, in Middlesbrough, with serious injuries.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area as the road is likely to be closed for a number of hours while collision investigators examine the scene.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or been in the area shortly before 6.45am are asked to get in touch.
Officers are particularly keen to speak to any passengers on a bus, which was involved in the collision, and also to receive any dash cam footage.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident 34 of October 8.