A TEENAGER has been arrested on suspicion of a number of driving offences after a crash which saw a car flip over and smash into railings.

The arrest comes after a black Audi A3 and a black Fiat Punto collided in Northern Approach Road, Colchester, shortly before 9pm last night. 

The four occupants of the Audi - three men, including two aged 17, one aged 19 and a 17-year-old woman - and the 32-year-old female driver of the Punto were treated for various injuries.

They were all taken to Colchester General Hospital for treatment.

Police say the Punto driver suffered "serious injuries".

The other casualties had injuries including head, neck and back pains.

The road was closed until 2.30am whilst debris was cleared by emergency workers.

Officers are also trying to trace the driver of a burgundy VW Golf with a 56 registration plate.

It is understood the driver of the vehicle left the scene before emergency services arrived.

A 17-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving other than in accordance with a licence.

He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Two rapid response vehicles, two ambulance officers and five ambulance crews also attended the scene. 

A spokesman for the fire service said initial reports believed one of the vehicles, which had overturned, to be on fire and a person trapped.

However when crews arrived they found the driver had managed to get out of the car and the car was not on fire, but was slightly smoking.

Two crews of firefighters from Colchester made the scene safe, as live wiring was exposed and alot of damage to the barriers and debris from the vehicles in the roadway.

Emergency services were at the scene until 11pm.

An eyewitness has told the Gazette: “I was just sat in bed about to start reading when I heard an ungodly crash. 

“It sounded like metal screeching and being torn apart and then there was just panicked teenagers screaming. 

“I ran out and paramedics and police were already there. 

"Apparently everyone got out of the car that flipped, I just can’t believe anyone walked away from it. 

“God knows what happened - but it looked horrendous.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact Stanway Road Policing Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.