Man who died in Hartlepool crash named as Duane Birdsall

Emergency services were called to Elizabeth Way on Tuesday (April 7) after a blue VW Golf was involved in a crash just after 4am. 

Cleveland Police said the smash took place following a short police pursuit – with two passengers, a man, 34, and woman, 42, in the vehicle being taken to hospital. 

The man who sadly died in the single car crash has now been named as 44-year-old Duane Michael Birdsall.

The 42-year-old woman injured in the crash, has now been arrested and charged with robbery in connection with an incident the same morning.

The 34-year-old man taken to hospital with serious injuries remains in hospital.

The woman appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 8 and was remanded until her next appearance on Tuesday, May 5.

A spokesperson from Cleveland Police said: “Our thoughts are with Duane’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“Detectives are still appealing for anyone with information or dashcam footage relating to the collision to get in touch.”

The road was closed for hours following the crash in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said: “We were called to a road traffic incident at the junction of Elizabeth Way and Tees Road, Hartlepool at 4.16am on April 7.

“We dispatched three double crewed ambulances, a clinical team leader, a specialist paramedic, two vehicles from our Hazardous Area Response Team and were supported by Great North Air Ambulance’s medical car.

“One patient was taken to North Tees Hospital and one patient was taken to James Cook Hospital with a doctor on board.”