A woman has been seriously hurt after her car left the A12 and was in collision with a tree.

An Essex Police spokesman said the accident happened at about 8.55am today and involved a red Rover Metro travelling towards Chelmsford on the two-lane section of the A12 at Ingatestone.

The car left the carriageway, ran up an embankment, and was in collision with a tree. The woman driver was seriously injured and was taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

She was alone in the car, and is believed to live in the Brentwood area.

Police officers partially closed the road until 11.20am while they made a full examination of the scene.

Any witnesses to the accident have been asked to contact traffic police at Brentwood on 01277 201478.

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