AFTER nearly seven hours, the overturned lorry was cleared from Bridge End roundabout in Hexham last night.

Both lanes of the eastbound carriageway of the A69 were closed at 6.30pm to allow for the HGV to be recovered.

By 9pm the route was cleared and re-opened to traffic.

The driver of the HGV was taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary in the wake of the incident yesterday afternoon.

He is described as being in a stable condition.

Fire and rescue teams, paramedics and police rushed to the scene at around 2.20pm yesterday following reports of an overturned HGV.

The Great North Air Ambulance helicopter was also called out but the injured driver of the lorry was taken to hospital by road.

One lane of the affected carriageway remained open and police remained at the scene to direct traffic.