A lorry driver was injured after being hit by his own truck when a 40-tonne HGV collided with the back of it.

Crash scene the wrecked cab of one of the lorries on the A12. Picture: STEVE BRADING (38657-c)

The Benfleet man had got out of his cab after it suffered a blow-out on the A12. But a container lorry collided with the parked vehicle, sending it careering into the driver.

An ambulance service spokesman said the impact catapulted the 37-year-old victim on to the embankment. "The driver ended up in a bush," he said.

The accident happened on the northbound carriageway between Marks Tey and Eight Ash Green at 12.30pm on Friday. The road had to be closed, causing traffic chaos. Police say tailbacks stretched eight miles back to Hatfield Peverel.

Police last night said the victim's injuries were not as serious as first feared.

Published Monday, October 4, 2004

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