The carnage left after the head-on collision in Newfield yesterday photographed by the Northern Echo

One bus driver has been killed and the other driver was left with major injuries after a bus and coach were involved in a head-on collision yesterday evening in Newfield County Durham.

The bus passengers died on impact and the driver of the coach had to be cut from the wreckage by fire fighters and was air lifted to hospital having sustained major injury.

3 passengers travelling on the bus were also hurt following the crash although their injuries are not said to be life threatening. One of the passengers however, was also airlifted to hospital having sustained a fractured hip.

The crash happened two miles from the village of Chersterle-Street and locals, alerted by the loud bang, rushed to the aid of those injured. However their attempts to free the passengers from the wreckage were hampered by the debris and state of the mangled vehicles which meant they were unable to reach the victims inside.

A large scale rescue operation was launched involving police, fire crews, helicopter paramedics, and ambulance services. The crash happened at approximately 4pm yesterday outside a quiet residential street.

Witnesses say the two vehicles were travelling in opposite directions when the collision occurred. It is not yet known what caused the accident. Last night an accident investigation team were assessing the crash site.