A traffic policeman had a miraculous escape after his patrol car aquaplaned on a wet road, hit the central reservation of the A120 and burst into flames

The police officer walked away unscathed from the crash

The accident happened just after 9pm last night about three miles from the A133 Clacton turn-off near the Texaco garage.

Firefighters from Dovercourt and Clacton were called to the scene and one lane of the road was closed for more than an hour while the debris was cleared away.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said there was no other vehicle involved in the incident.

"The car aquaplaned on standing water and hit the central reservation," she said.

"It caught fire but the officer was able to get out. He received no injuries other than minor burns from the air bag.

"He did not need to go to hospital and is now recovering at home."

Acting leading firefighter Steve Moseley from Clacton said the car was a total wreck. "By the state of the vehicle he was a very lucky man," he said.

Published Monday, January 20, 2003

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