2 November 2012 Last updated at 12:13 ET

Husband arrested over County Durham death crash

A man has been arrested after his wife died in a three-vehicle crash.

The 51-year-old man from Stanley was carrying his wife as a pillion on his motorcycle when it hit a traffic island on the A1.

The bike then collided with a milk tanker and an Iveco van heading in the opposite direction. The tanker driver was also arrested.

It happened just after 19.35 GMT on Thursday on the A688, near junction 61 of the A1(M) at Bowburn, County Durham.

Police said they believe the motorcyclist was attempting to overtake the tanker.

The bike hit the central island then crossed into the opposite lane and into the front of the van.

As a result the passenger, 39-year-old Alison Reay of Lambton Terrace, Stanley, suffered fatal injuries and was confirmed dead at the scene.

The driver of the motorcycle suffered minor facial injuries and, after receiving treatment at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, was arrested by police on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.

After being interviewed he was released on police bail until mid-December.

The tanker driver, a 59-year-old man from Bishop Auckland was uninjured, he also was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving, interviewed and bailed to mid-December.

The driver of the van, a 53-year-old man from Gateshead was shocked but unhurt.