POLICE, paramedics and firefighters were called out to a series of crashes in Colchester as drivers struggled with the icy conditions.

A man and a woman were rushed to hospital after colliding with a signpost in Turner Road just before 9pm last night.

The man managed to get out but the woman had to be cut free by fire crews from Colchester.

The injuries were serious but not life threatening

While they were busy freeing the woman fire crews from Witham and Halstead had to help free another woman who crashed into bushes off the A12 between junctions 28, by the football stadium, and junction 29 near Ardleigh.

She was also taken to hospital with a chest injury.

The crashes followed a fatal crash just after 7pm also on the A12.

A car left the road and collided with a tree on the northbound carriageway between Keveldon and Marks Tey.

A 59-year-old man from Colchester was tragically killed.

A 57-year-old woman had to be cut free and rushed to Colchester General Hospital with serious injuries.

Several cars were also abandoned overnight as conditions quickly deteriorated despite intensive gritting on major roads around the town.