A car was ripped in two and its driver killed in a horrific head-on smash with a fire engine.

The engine was responding to a 999 call and had its blue lights flashing when it was involved in the tragic rush-hour collision in South Woodham Ferrers.

The Ford Fiesta was sliced in half by the force of the impact and carnage spread for more than 100m along the busy A132.

The driver, aged 22, was flung out of the car and was found unconscious by emergency crews on a grass verge. He was rushed to Basildon Hospital by ambulance but was dead on arrival.

The South Woodham Ferrers fire engine was on an emergency call to Runwell Hospital.

As the car and the engine collided, the car broke in half and the front portion of the vehicle was dragged along the road.

The rear section was left 50 metres behind the fire engine on an embankment.

Emergency crews arriving at the scene said they were faced with a scene of utter carnage.

Essex Fire Service spokesman Gary Jeffery said the crew was shocked by the incident.

The brigade will be carrying out its own internal inquiry and there will be a separate police investigation.

Mr Jeffery said: "Any accident, be it major or minor, is always investigated by the fire service. At present, Essex Police are carrying out their own investigation into the cause of this accident.

"Essex Fire Service personnel wish to send their fullest condolences to the relatives of the driver."

The crash happened at 6.30pm on the A132 bypass near the junction of the Rettendon turnpike.

Motorists who witnessed what happened have been urged to call Chelmsford traffic police on 01245 491491.

Carnage - the horrific scene after the car and fire engine collided

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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