A serious crash on Victoria Avenue, next to Priory Park, in Southend this afternoon has left three children in hospital and sparked a major emergency response.
The collision happened at the busy junction of Fairfax Drive and Victoria Avenue, directly opposite the park and the Super Pizza takeaway. A major emergency services response followed, as a number of 999 calls were made.
Police units, firefighters and several ambulances attended, with eyewitnesses describing the response as being fast and coordinated.
Six people in total, including three children, were assessed by paramedics at the roadside. Witnesses said the scene was dramatic as the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance landed inside Priory Park to deliver a doctor to help with urgent treatment.
An eyewitness, Kira Butcher, said she stepped in to help the children before emergency crews arrived:
“I was there and was helping the children out! They were very shaken, but safe and looked after. I want to say that all the emergency services were amazing!”
The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed that three ambulances, two rapid response vehicles, a paramedic car and the air ambulance were deployed to the incident.
The three children were taken by road ambulance to Southend University Hospital. Their condition has not yet been disclosed.
Local resident Kirstey Ware, who saw the aftermath, said:
“It’s a bad car crash. I hope that everyone will be okay. One car was not in the best shape but all emergency services were working quickly.”
Police officers remain at the junction this evening as crash investigators work to establish the circumstances, and parts of the road remain closed to traffic.
The junction, one of the city’s busiest routes connecting central Southend with surrounding areas, has been the scene of several accidents over the years. The collision is expected to cause disruption into the evening.