Striking firefighters have been criticised for refusing to leave a picket line to help at a road crash in which four people were hurt - two seriously.

Police, an Army Green Goddess, four ambulance crews and the North East Air Ambulance attended the incident in which two cars collided head-on near Darlington, County Durham on Sunday.

A 50-year-old man was freed after almost an hour by troops and retained firefighters, who were alerted to the crash.

Chief fire officer for Darlington and County Durham, George Herbert, has criticised the strikers.

George Herbert: "Disappointed"

Paramedics resuscitated the 50-year-old man who suffered a heart attack while driving on the A689, near Rushyford, County Durham.

The nearest fire station, in Newton Aycliffe, was deserted, so firefighters at Darlington were alerted by the police.

But Mr Herbert said they refused to attend.

The Fire Brigades Union says the strikers were technically off duty and were not insured to attend incidents.

But Mr Herbert said: "While I have to acknowledge their right to strike, I am disappointed that they took the decision not to assist in a life-threatening situation."

Brian Boyle, brigade secretary for the Fire Brigades Union in Durham and Darlington, said it was the responsibility of the brigade to provide adequate cover during strikes.

Serious injuries

He said: "For Mr Herbert to suggest that he is disappointed I find quite astonishing."

Two occupants, one from each car, were released quickly.

A man suffering from neck and back injuries, and a 35-year-old woman with chest and facial injuries, were transferred to Darlington Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

Paramedics resuscitated the heart attack victim, who was taken by air ambulance to Middlesbrough General Hospital.

He also suffered serious head and chest injuries.

A woman trapped in the second car was cut free by troops and retained firefighters and taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with leg injuries.

An Army spokesman said: "The accident itself was particularly nasty and it was quite a difficult situation.

"I can't say if we would have been quicker or slower if the regular fire crews had been involved."