Gazza in hospital after car crash

Former footballer Paul Gascoigne was in hospital today following a car crash, police said.

The former England, Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder was in a serious but not life-threatening condition at Newcastle General Hospital following the accident in the city at 9.45pm yesterday.

The 43-year-old, who has battled drink and drug addiction and depression since the end of his playing career, was one of three people in a Vauxhall Astra which crashed at Sandhill on Newcastle’s quayside.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “For reasons yet to be established, the car left the road and collided with a lamppost.

“A female driver and two male passengers were taken to hospital with injuries which were not described as life-threatening.

“A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and bailed pending further inquiries.

“The condition of the two men in hospital has been described as serious but not life-threatening. The woman has been discharged.”

A spokesman for Newcastle General Hospital said he could make no comment.

Gazza’s agent, Kenny Shepherd, was unavailable for comment.