POLICE are investigating after a man crashed his car into a tree after a domestic incident.

Officers were called to a house in Howard Place, Newcastle at around 1.50am yesterday, and while they were on their way a man left the house and drove away.

Almost an hour later the man's car, a Hyundai, was involved in a collision with a tree in Thistleberry Avenue, Newcastle at around 2.45am.

He was cut from the vehicle by firefighters and taken to North Staffordshire University Hospital, where his condition is described as "very poorly."

Inspector Neil Hulme, from Newcastle Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "Although this happened in the early hours of the morning, we are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything to contact us."

Anyone with information can call Newcastle police on 0300 123 4455.