THE A69 has now reopened following a crash on the Haydon Bridge bypass.
Emergency services were called to the scene of the three-vehicle collision, which was reported at 7.25am on Wedensday.
Police said the drivers of a Renault Megane and Audi A4 were taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary with serious injuries.
One of the patients was airlifted by the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the other was taken by road by the North East Ambulance Service.
The third vehicle involved was a VW Tiguan.
Traffic was diverted through Haydon Bridge and local residents reported long delays on Ratcliffe Road. At the peak of the morning commute, Highways England issued advice to motorists travelling between Greenhead and Acomb to use the Military Road.
The road reopened at 10.45am.
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