RESIDENTS say the sound of a serious crash shook their homes and they "feared the worst".

A teenager has been arrested after a car crash which left a woman with serious injuries.

A black Audi A3 and a black Fiat Punto were involved in a collision in Northern Approach Road, Colchester.

The Audi flipped over and its four passengers - two men aged 17, one aged 19 and a 17-year-old woman - were treated for head, neck and back pains.

The 32-year-old driver of the Punto was treated for serious injuries.

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 bailed until later this month.

A man who lives within 20m of the scene told the Gazette: "It was an almighty crash - it shook the house.

"It sounded like it was a lorry involved, it was that loud. 

"We hear cars racing up and down that road all the time, it's like a racetrack.

"If nothing else, there needs to be a speed camera there."

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.”

A man who lives within 20m of the scene added the smash “shook” his house.

Another man, who did not witness the crash, said he had seen two cars “racing” down the Northern Approach Road, towards the Asda roundabout seconds before he heard a smash.

He added: “It might be nothing but I saw two cars roaring down the road towards Asda and really quickly after I lost sight of them I just heard this almighty bang.

“It was the sort of sound you absolutely fear hearing.”

The road was closed until 2.30am yesterday whilst debris from the accident was cleared.

A spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue Service said initial reports stated the Punto was on fire and its driver was trapped but when crews arrived, the driver had managed to get out of the car and it was not on fire.

Two crews of firefighters from Colchester made the scene safe, as live traffic light wiring had been exposed.

Anyone who witnessed the crash which happened at 9pm on Tuesday should contact Stanway Road Policing Unit on 101.

or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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

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