Man in his 30s dies after being hit by ambulance on A19 near Sunderland

The collision

Northumbria Police said a man in his 30s died after being struck by an ambulance on the A19 near Sunderland. The collision happened shortly after 2am on Sunday, 15 November 2026, on the northbound carriageway between the junctions for the A1018 and A690. The ambulance was transporting a patient and did not have its blue lights switched on when it hit the pedestrian, the force said. Emergency services attended, but the man died at the scene. Police have informed his next of kin.

The ambulance occupants

No one in the ambulance was injured. The driver, a man in his 40s, remained at the scene to help officers with their inquiries, the force said. The North East Ambulance Service said the patient and a companion were moved to another ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital. The service sent several crews to the scene and said it would work closely with police to support their investigation.

The police investigation

Officers from the roads policing unit have launched an investigation into the collision. Police are asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident, or of the moments leading up to it, to come forward. Sergeant Ben Rutherford said the family and loved ones of the man were being supported.

“Our thoughts are firmly with the family and loved ones of the man who has tragically died following this collision.”

Rutherford said the force had already carried out a number of inquiries and wanted anyone with information to come forward, however minor it may seem. Witnesses can contact Northumbria Police by direct message on social media, through live chat, or via report forms on the force's website, quoting reference NP-20261115-0086.