A woman was killed and two men were injured today when a car left the A12 at Mountnessing and burst into flames.

An Essex Police spokesman said the accident happened at 1.25am on the London-bound track, when a Peugeot left the carriageway, crossed the Mountnessing roundabout sliproad, and came to rest on the embankment, where it burst into flames.

A woman passenger in the car was certified dead at the scene, and two men were taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. One suffered burns, cuts and bruises; the other had cuts, bruises, and a suspected dislocated shoulder.

Police are not yet revealing the identities of those involved but all three people in the car are believed to have come from the Harlow area and were aged about 20.

Officers closed the A12 for several hours to allow accident investigators to assess the scene.

The cause of the accident has not been established and police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact traffic police at Brentwood on 01277 201478.

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