New appeal after responders were injured at crash scene

Police have renewed an appeal for witnesses after paramedics and off-duty officers were struck while attending the scene of a crash in Essex.

The emergency services were initially called after a single-vehicle collision involving a white Nissan X-Trail on the A130 in South Benfleet at about 00:15 GMT on Saturday.

While at the scene, five emergency responders were struck in a second crash involving a white Ford Transit van. Two of them - a paramedic and a police officer - remain in a serious condition in hospital.

Three men arrested at the scene have now been released under investigation as police inquiries continued.

Essex Police said the crashes happened on the southbound carriageway of the A130, between the Rayleigh Spur and Sadlers Farm roundabouts.

A 23-year-old man, from Canvey, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

A 29-year-old man, from Westcliff, was also arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle, as well as possession of a Class B or Class C drug, and being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs.

The third arrest was a 39-year-old man, from Canvey, on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

In a statement, the force said on Sunday: "We continue to appeal for any information or dashcam footage of a white Nissan X-Trail and white ford Transit in the area of the A130 near the Rayleigh Spur roundabout in the early hours of Saturday 10 January."

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