A road rage attack sparked a mass brawl between a group of men who beat each other with hammers and scaffolding poles.
Amazing - the crash sparked a punch-up in which hammers were used Picture by Echo reader MIKE GARCIA
The group started fighting in Hogg Lane, Chafford Hundred, after a black Ford Probe smashed into the back of a Ford Transit van.
The driver of the van was repeatedly hit by a hammer and suffered a punctured lung and several cracked ribs, and was taken to Basildon Hospital where he is still recuperating.
Police believe the attack could be linked to an earlier incident in the Bexhill Drive area in Grays. It is thought the men in the Probe were hunting for the van.
Mike Garcia, who works for the RAC as a controller in Grays, heard the two vehicles smash as he sat in his lounge at his home in Ark Avenue.
He said: "I heard an almighty crash and walked out on to Hogg Lane to see about seven men armed with hammers and scaffolding poles beating the hell out of each other."
Police arrested one of the occupants of the Probe who has been released on bail.
They are appealing for witnesses to the incident, just before 6pm on Wednesday to contact with officers at Grays CID on 01375 391212.
Published Friday August 20, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article