A WOMAN was cut free from a car after an accident involving a flat bed van.

Fire crews were called to Hawkswood Road, in Downham, near Ramsden Heath at about 2pm on Saturday after a collision between a car and a transit van.

Crews from Wickford, Billericay and Chelmsford used specialist cutting equipment to release the woman by 2.45pm.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Two people were taken to Basildon Hospital after a serious road traffic collision at the junction of Hawkswood Road and Crows Heath Lane, Downham, near the Hanningfield Reservoir, which happened just before 1.50pm on Saturday, July 23.

"It involved a red Ford Fiesta being driven by a woman in her 60s from Billericay and a white panel van being driven by a man in his 20s.

"The man suffered minor injuries while the woman’s injuries were more serious but not life threatening."

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact PC Glenn Simmons at Stanway road policing unit on 101.