Police were first alerted that offensive weapons had been seen at an address in Althorne at around 1:10pm on Tuesday 10 December.
It had been reported to them that two suspects were seen with knives, before they left the scene in a car.
The suspects’ car was then seen by police officers who followed it as it travelled in the direction of the A130.
A police pursuit then took place, before there was a serious collision between the suspects’ car and another vehicle at 1:50pm on the Northbound carriageway of the A130.
All four people in the vehicles – two in the car and two in the van – sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. None of the injuries sustained by those in the van or the car are believed to be life-threatening.
Both the driver and passenger in the suspects’ car were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.
Part of the A130 was closed for several hours due to the seriousness of the collision. Paramedics, firefighters and two air ambulances were all been dispatched to the scene.
The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed that one person who has serious injuries was flown by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital.
A second person was transported by road ambulance also to the Royal London Hospital. The two other injured people were taken by road ambulance to Basildon and Thurrock Hospitals.
A spokesperson said: “Four ambulances, two paramedic cars, two Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles and two Essex and Herts Air Ambulances were sent to a multiple vehicle road traffic collision on the A130 this afternoon.”
First Essex Buses reported delays to a number of their bus services due to the closure of the A130. Buses impacted included service X30, service 3, service 255, service X10.