A waste disposal lorry and a pick-up truck crashed on a narrow bridge, blocking a main road.

The Onyx driver was airlifted to hospital with serious leg injuries following the collision on the A1124 just outside of Earls Colne on Stonebridge Hill.

A police spokesman said: "The driver of the waste disposal truck, from Colchester, was airlifted to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, by the Essex Air Ambulance suffering serious leg injuries. The other driver involved in the crash was unhurt."

Accident scene: The damaged waste disposal lorry on the bridge.

Stonebridge Hill is a notorious stretch of road between Earls Colne and Halstead where the road bends sharply before crossing a bridge over Bourne Brook, a tributary of the River Colne.

The accident happened shortly after 2pm yesterday and although neither of the lorries went into the brook, wreckage completely blocked the A1124.

Traffic was diverted through the village of Colne Engaine before rejoining the A1124.

The crash took place on the first afternoon of the current firefighters' strike. The nearest retained station at Halstead is currently split between eight striking FBU firefighters and nine working RFU firefighters.

Peter Robertson, sub-officer at Halstead retained fire station, said the station was contacted about the accident, but told no-one was trapped or in danger and were not called to the scene. No green goddess engines were called.

Accident witnesses should ring PC Andy Swan on (01376) 330722.

Published Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette