FORMER England midfielder Paul Gascoigne was in hospital today following a car crash, police said.
The ex-Newcastle, Tottenham and Rangers player 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.
Gascoigne's agent, Kenny Shepherd, was unavailable for comment.
The dark blue Astra crashed into a lamppost next to Newcastle's historic Guildhall, close to the Tyne Bridge.
Fragments of car bodywork and shattered glass surrounded the bent and twisted lamppost, which was crushed against the building's 19th century east pillars.
The scene was cordoned off by police today.
Joyce Wemyss, manager of the Bob Trollopes and Red House bars on Newcastle's fashionable Quayside, was working the late shift when she heard tyres squealing and a crash.
She said: "I just heard the sounds of tyres screeching very loud and saw a dark blue car come pelting round the corner from under the Tyne Bridge.
"The driver lost control and went smack into the side of the Guildhall, hitting the taxi rank sign as it went.
"There was a lot of smoke coming from the car and all the cabbies from the rank outside the pub went running over.
"They pulled out the driver, a woman, and got on the phone to the emergency services.
"One of the bus drivers who went to help said she smelled as though she'd been drinking.
"There was an ambulance there within five minutes, then police cars and two fire engines, then two more ambulances.
"They taped everything off outside.
"The road was closed for an hour and a half.
"I had no idea Gazza was a passenger. It had been dead quiet on the Quayside that night and he had not been drinking in here.
"I hope he's all right."
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.
Gascoigne's agent, Kenny Shepherd, was unavailable for comment.
The dark blue Astra crashed into a lamppost next to Newcastle's historic Guildhall, close to the Tyne Bridge.
Fragments of car bodywork and shattered glass surrounded the bent and twisted lamppost, which was crushed against the building's 19th century east pillars.
The scene was cordoned off by police today.
Joyce Wemyss, manager of the Bob Trollopes and Red House bars on Newcastle's fashionable Quayside, was working the late shift when she heard tyres squealing and a crash.
She said: "I just heard the sounds of tyres screeching very loud and saw a dark blue car come pelting round the corner from under the Tyne Bridge.
"The driver lost control and went smack into the side of the Guildhall, hitting the taxi rank sign as it went.
"There was a lot of smoke coming from the car and all the cabbies from the rank outside the pub went running over.
"They pulled out the driver, a woman, and got on the phone to the emergency services.
"One of the bus drivers who went to help said she smelled as though she'd been drinking.
"There was an ambulance there within five minutes, then police cars and two fire engines, then two more ambulances.
"They taped everything off outside.
"The road was closed for an hour and a half.
"I had no idea Gazza was a passenger. It had been dead quiet on the Quayside that night and he had not been drinking in here.
"I hope he's all right."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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