Officers searched the wreckage today to see if there were any other casualties.

The search was called off this afternoon and polcie confirmed the only casualty was the driver, named by his family as Gurdip Johal. 

Police say management of the scene has now been passed over to Highways England.

The driver, from Witham, died after his vehicle left Coleman’s Bridge and came to rest on the A12 near junction 22 at Witham.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

Emergency services have been working around the clock to recover the vehicle and the trailer.

It has been complex operation due to the nature of the vehicles load - large industrial sized battery which needed to be made safe.

The trailer has now been forensically recovered.

Essex Police and its other emergency response partners thanked the public for their patience whilst work was carried out.

Multiagency escort of container damaged on the #A12 yesterday. pic.twitter.com/Pjiij6sr02

— Colin Shead (@SgtColinShead) February 9, 2017

One lane of the southbound carriageway has now been reopened and police said they hoped to open the other lane as soon as possible.

The exit and entry slip roads of junction 22 are also closed. 

Drivers are being asked to plan ahead and allow for a longer journey time.

Chief Inspector Nick Lee at Essex Police said: "This was a serious road traffic collision where a man died.

"The recovery operation of the lorry is complex due to the nature of the load it is carrying.

"All the emergency services involved need to be sure the vehicle can be moved safely and ensure there is no risk to the staff involved or other road users.

"We appreciate this closure will disrupt people’s journeys home from work and we are doing all we can to re-open the road as soon as possible.

"We appreciate the continued co-operation and understanding of the public.”

Police are appealing for any witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage to contact them on 101.

• Picture by Joanne Taylor

Colchester councillors Lesley and Jessica Scott-Boutell were on the A12 travelling from Colchester to Chelmsford when the accident happened.

The mother and daughter from Stanway said: “We were stopped in the queue of traffic but there was no indication at first what had happened.

“Jess saw the smoke and the air ambulance flying in. We realised it was something quite major.

“We realised something had come off the bridge on to the A12.

“It is absolutely terrible and we are so sorry for all those involved.

“We are shaken. You feel so helpless.”

• Picture: Joe MacCullum/Twitter

Chloe Willis, 20, was in a car travelling to a hockey match with friends and was "about five seconds away" from the accident.

The psychology student told the Press Association "black smoke covered the sky" as the lorry caught fire.

She said: "We had to come to an emergency stop as soon as we saw this lorry turned on its side.

"A big puff of black smoke covered the sky and all the people in cars started to panic.

"You could see where the barriers on the bridge had broken when the lorry had come through."

Ms Willis said the emergency service response was "pretty instant" with numerous fire engines and police vehicles arriving swiftly.

From John Podgorski

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The crash site, seen from Eastways and looking south down the A12.

From Zak Henville

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A12 southbound congestion between Stanway and Marks Tey, 5pm

A12 southbound congestion between Stanway and Marks Tey, 5pm

From Zak Henville

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A12 southbound between Stanway and Marks Tey at 5pm

From Debbie Franklin

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Just approaching bridge. Smoke everywhere from the lorry that went over the bridge