FIVE people have been rushed to hospital after a bus and a car collided.

The crash took place just after 9.30am this morning on Furneaux Lane in Fingringhoe.

Four ambulances, a rapid response car and a hazardous area response team were called to provide emergency treatment.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "The bus was carrying passengers when it was involved in a collision.

"Three people were suffering from back and chest pain, one person had a wrist injury, and a fifth person had a foot injury.

"All of the casualties were taken to Colchester General Hospital.

"Fortunately none of their injuries are believed to be life-threatening."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Police were called shortly before 10am today following reports of a road traffic collision involving a Silver Mitsubishi Shogun and a grey BMW bus."

The crash is being treated as an accident.