Gazza escapes injury in crash

Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne escaped serious injury when he was involved in a traffic accident.

The ex-Newcastle and Spurs star was driving a four wheel drive BMW in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, when he was in collision with a parked truck after swerving to avoid another vehicle, Northumbria Police said.

A force spokeswoman said yesterday: “Police can confirm footballer Paul Gascoigne was involved in a minor traffic collision this afternoon at 3.48pm.

“He was driving a BMW X5 car westbound on Wellington Road in Dunston, in Gateshead.

“As he approached a 3 Series BMW which was parked on the eastbound carriageway a third vehicle overtook the parked BMW and encroached on the westbound carriageway.

“The driver of the X5 swerved to avoid the collision with the oncoming vehicle and collided with a parked delivery truck.

“Paramedics attended the driver who did not require hospital treatment.”

The spokeswoman appealed for any witnesses to the accident to contact police.

Gascoigne told The Sun: “I just ran into the back of the van. I’m fine, but I am a bit shaken up.”