Traffic was brought to a standstill as the Southend-bound A127 was shut after a serious road smash.

Two lorries were involved in the accident just before 3.30am on Wednesday at the Halfway House near Dunton.

Police were forced to close the road for up to eight hours while they cleared the scene.

Emergency services, including ambulances, a doctor, police and firefighters, arrived on to find a green Daf rigid-axle truck in a hedge at the side of the road.

The other lorry involved, a white Renault articulated lorry, was severely damaged in the crash.

A 38-year-old man driving the Renault was left trapped in the cab complaining of lower leg injuries.

After being released by firefighters, the man was treated for serious limb injuries at the scene by doctors before being transfered to Basildon Hospital by ambulance.

He was reported to be in a stable condition.

Following the smash, the A127 was closed at the A128 junction by police and reopened at the B148 junction at Dunton.

Traffic was diverted down the A128 towards Grays where it joined the Southend-bound A13.