In the early hours of Saturday morning, April 26, a devastating one-vehicle crash on the A68 near High Hermitage Farm, Satley, Bishop Auckland, led to the death of a young father from Tow Law.
Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 1:30am following reports of a serious collision involving a Volkswagen Passat. Upon arrival, first responders found the driver, 25-year-old Nathan Hail, with severe head injuries. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Nathan was pronounced dead at the scene.
The circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation by the Collision Investigation Unit. Authorities are working to establish the events that led up to the tragedy, which occurred on a stretch of road that has seen incidents in the past.
Nathan Hail’s sudden and heartbreaking death has left his family and local community reeling. In a deeply emotional statement, his family shared their sorrow and paid tribute to a life lost far too soon:
“As a family, we still can’t believe we are writing this; we are heartbroken to announce that Nathan died following a car crash on the morning of Saturday 26th April.
Nathan was only 25 with his whole life ahead of him. Nathan was a great son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to many, and most importantly he was an amazing daddy to his little boy.
We can’t believe we are never going to see him again and still keep thinking he is going to walk through the door. We will miss everything about him, his love of football and especially Newcastle United.
Can we take this time to thank everyone who has supported us, from the emergency services who were with Nathan at the scene, to people who have sent us messages—it is so greatly appreciated.”
Detective Constable Natalie Horner, from the Collision Investigation Unit, also issued a statement expressing her condolences and urging road users to drive with care:
“This is another tragic loss of such a young life and a harsh reminder of the heartache road death causes on the people left behind. Please stay safe on our roads—life is precious.”
As the investigation continues, the wider community has begun to rally around the grieving family. Tributes have poured in across social media, with friends and loved ones remembering Nathan as a kind-hearted and devoted father who lit up every room he entered.
The A68 was closed for several hours as collision investigators worked at the scene, and police are appealing for any witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to come forward.
Anyone with information that might assist the investigation is urged to contact the Durham Constabulary’s Collision Investigation Unit.
This tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of how fragile life is, especially on the roads. Nathan’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him—and most especially, in his young son who now faces a future without his father.