A full investigation was under way today after a police car responding to a suspected burglary crashed and landed on its roof.

Two Mercedes, worth more than £22,000 each, were badly damaged as well as a van and another car in the accident on the seafront at Eastern Esplanade, Southend. All vehicles other than the police car were parked.

The two police officers in the Ford Mondeo marked car, PCs Lee Heaton and Steven Bliss, were taken to Southend Hospital suffering with minor injuries.

Residents said it was a miracle neither was seriously hurt. One of the officers was seen after the accident sitting on the sea wall rocking back and forth from the shock.

PC Heaton, who was driving, suffered a shoulder injury while PC Bliss has minor cuts to his head.

The car was responding to an alarm going off when it is believed to have crashed into a traffic island, then a parked red van and spun a further 100 yards down the road before ending up on its roof.

Mark Luhman, 32, of Eastern Esplanade, said: "My wife heard the police siren and then a big bang.

"When I came out I saw my neighbour's van had landed on my wall on its side. I think the van must have flown about 20 feet because it wasn't parked right outside my door but at least two spaces down."

Charles Labdon, 73, owner of the K-reg black £22,000 Mercedes, said the three-foot long boot of his car had shrunk to a mere foot from the impact.

Ali Papworth, 33, was watching television when she looked out and saw the police car turn over.

She said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw one of them actually get out of the car. He looked very shaken up."

Raymond Ayres, 74, said: "I saw the two police officers climb out. They must have been doing a terrific speed to go over like that."

The owner of a special edition blue Mercedes also damaged in the crash, who asked not to be named, said: "That car was my pride and joy. I was nearly in tears when I saw it.

"The police car must have been doing 80 miles per hour. It's a miracle that no-one was hurt."

Inspector Andy Norton, of Rayleigh traffic unit, said: "We will be treating this accident as we would any other accident. It will be investigated as thoroughly and impartially as we can."

Insp Norton confirmed that the driver of the police car, Lee Heaton, was authorised to drive under immediate response conditions.

Anyone who witnessed the accident, which happened at 1.30am on Sunday, should contact Rayleigh traffic police on 01268 775533.

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