Helpless villagers looked on as fire engulfed a £640,000 sports car, killing its millionaire driver and two other passengers.

Flames leapt from drug suspect Christopher Dawes's limited edition burgundy McLaren F1, after it crashed into a tree on the A120 between Dunmow and Braintree yesterday afternoon.

The car was split in two by the force of the collision.

Mr Dawes had been arrested on Boxing Day on Alderney, where he owns hotels, after a drugs raid netted the Channel Islands' first ever crack cocaine seizure.

His jet and helicopter, each worth £3 million, were impounded and he was set to appear in court charged with possessing a Class A drug later this year.

It is understood the identities of the victims - which will not be officially confirmed by police until next of kin have been informed - were only established through medical records.

No other vehicles were involved in yesterday's collision, which left the road closed for three hours.

Susan Mulford, 24, and husband Leigh, 23, rushed from their nearby home after hearing the crash.

Mrs Mulford said: "We saw this great cloud of black smoke and then flames right across the road.

"There were two wheels like the back axle in the road. The car was in the hedge. We went back in and called the emergency services.

"It was fortunate no other cars were following. No one could get anywhere near it ... it was just smoke and flames."

Her husband added: "Afterwards there were two or three explosions as if the petrol tank went up".

Witnesses to the crash or the driving which preceded it have been asked to contact police at Newport on 01799 540310 or Bocking on 01376 330722

The remains of the car being recovered after the smash

(Right) The spot where the collision took place

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