A serious multi-vehicle collision has occurred this morning on the A13 in Shoebury, involving two cars and a lorry at the roundabout with Maplin Way North.
The incident took place at approximately 9:10 am, prompting a significant emergency response.
Witnesses reported seeing at least six ambulances, two fire crews, and six police cars at the scene.
The road has been partially closed, with the damaged vehicles waiting to be recovered. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route while police await recovery.
Locals have described the scene as chaotic, as traffic backed up in both directions. One eyewitness commented: “It was a shocking sight – I’ve never seen so many emergency vehicles in one place. It looked serious.”
Sophie Davey added: “I went past this as a fire engine was turning up and it’s a very bad accident! I hope everyone is okay.”
An Air Ambulance was also called and landed near to the scene.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
One of the drivers involved, Christine Stringer, confirmed some more details about the incident: “I was the white car driver. I was coming off the roundabout into maplin way, the blue car was zooming down mapin way on the wrong side of the road and drove straight into me, spun me around and went into the roundabout causing the lorry to crash.”
UPDATE 12:00: A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called just before 9.10am to a road traffic collision on the A13 in Southend.
“Three ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. Two patients were transported by road to Southend University Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
Another local resident, Gillian Crosby, shared her thoughts about the general standard of driving she witnesses in Southend: “More and more often drivers are not using their indicators or respecting other drivers on the road. I’m not sure why we bother with driving tests anymore as the Highway Code seems to have gone out of the window. I hope the people involved in this crash are all okay.”