Man is charged over death crash

Bryan Hardwick and his son Liam were on a family conker-picking trip

A motorist has been accused of causing death by dangerous driving after a man died and his young son was seriously injured when they were hit by a car.

Bryan Hardwick, 26, and his two-year-old son Liam were struck by the car in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, after a trip to collect conkers on Saturday.

Durham police confirmed a 26-year-old man was due before magistrates charged in connection with the crash.

Liam is in a serious but stable condition after the crash on the A688.

Grassed embankment

Family friend, Dave Weatherburn, 40, who was also seriously hurt, is being treated in hospital.

Liam's three-year-old sister Brogan, who was also in the group, was unhurt.

A police spokesman said: "A 26-year-old local man has been charged with the offences of causing death by dangerous driving, theft and driving a motor vehicle while disqualified."

He is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court later.

Liam, who is being treated at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, was in his pushchair when he was hit by a Rover 45.

The vehicle, which contained four people, continued down a grassed embankment and hit a tree, police said.

Firefighters cut a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old from the back of the car. They are described as being seriously ill.

An 18-year-old man was also arrested in connection with the crash.