POLICE are hunting the driver of a blue Ford Focus after it was involved in a three-car crash.

Officers were called to Notley Road, Braintree at 2pm this afternoon following a collision involving a blue Ford Focus, silver Audi A3 and Blue VW Golf.

A force spokesman said: "The occupants of the blue Ford Focus have left the scene and inquiries are ongoing to trace them."

The ambulance service said two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries, but no-one was taken to hospital.

The Times understands the Focus was stolen.

UPDATE: Monday, 3.10pm

POLICE are appealing for help in finding four men who fled from the stolen Ford Focus which collided with two cars.


The driver of a blue Ford Focus ST lost control on a bend at Notley Road and crashed at about 1.30pm yesterday.

A family of four had a lucky escape when the Focus struck their car at high speed before it went on to hit the second vehicle.

The driver and three passengers in the Focus fled the scene and despite a widespread search by police ground units and the police helicopter they were not found.

Dc Nick Campbell of Braintree CID said: "The Focus had been stolen in Cressing at about an hour and a half earlier and was driving at high speed when the crash happened.

"The Focus lost control on a bend and snaked out of control for about 150 yards hitting two other cars before coming to rest near the entrance to John Ray Junior School.

"A couple and their two very young children had a miraculous escape when the Focus hit the side of their car.

"Thankfully they were all unharmed but very badly shaken but we could easily have been looking at serious injuries or fatalities.

"The people in the stolen car were totally reckless and ran off with no regard to the innocent people in the other badly damaged cars.

"We need to find them and get them in custody before they can cause more harm on our roads.

"We are especially keen to hear from any members of the public who saw the car between noon and the time of the crash."

The four men were all in their late teens or early 20s and one might have suffered a head injury.

Anyone with information about them should contact Dc Campbell or his colleagues at Braintree CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.