A taxi driver had to be cut free from his car after it ended up in a ditch.

Fire crews from Clacton, Weeley and Colchester were called to the accident, in which the Toyota ended up on its side in Pickers Ditch, off London Road, Clacton, at 10am on Friday.

Firefighter Stephen Hart, of Clacton fire station, said when they arrived, the taxi was partly submerged in water and the man trapped inside but he was above the water level.

In order to reach the driver, they had to cut away the rear seats, which took about half-an-hour.

Mr Hart said: "It was potentially a very serious crash but, luckily for the man, the car was on its side so he was above the water."

Published Monday, May 19, 2003

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