A mystery crash has left a Billericay man bewildered after he rescued passengers from an overturned car and then looked on as they ran off and the vehicle exploded.

John Bell, 20, was walking down the driveway of his Goatsmore Lane home early on Sunday morning - after a night out with friends - when he heard a loud bang out in the road.

He ran back to see what had happened and found a car had overturned and crashed into a ditch at the side of the road.

His father, also John Bell, said: "According to John there were four or five people trapped inside and he helped them out - one was only semi-conscious.

"It was just after he had dragged them out that the car exploded and then the people who he had pulled out of the car ran off down the lane.

"He risked his life to save these people - cutting his hand and ripping all his clothes in the process - and they just ran off."

Mr Bell said the location was a notorious blackspot and there had been another minor accident only a few hours before. He argued there should be better signs indicating the danger to drivers.

Mr Bell is also angry about the police response as he had trouble contacting them and eventually called 999.

Since the accident his son, who works at South Hanningfield Fish Farm, has only been contacted by police by phone - despite the fact the burnt out wreck of the car is still lying in a ditch outside their home.

Mr Bell said: "The police don't seem to have done anything."

Essex Police have, however, defended their actions claiming officers have acted appropriately as no crime has been committed and no lives were at risk.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Our enquiries have shown that there is a registered owner for this vehicle and it was not stolen.

"It seems the car flipped over for some reason and officers at Laindon Traffic Unit are continuing to make enquiries.

"A police vehicle was sent out to the incident, but not immediately as the accident had happened several hours before we were called and there was no one actually at the scene.

"As long as a vehicle is not causing any obstruction it is up to its owner to arrange its recovery.

"The police are not involved unless a vehicle is needed for evidence and in this case we do not believe any crime has been committed."

Crash scene: John Bell at the scene of the crash where his son helped passengers to safety

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