A WOMAN has died and a man is in a critical condition in hospital following a crash this afternoon. 

The woman, aged in her late 40s, and the man, were on a black Honda motorcycle which was involved in a collision in Ashes Road, Cressing, just before 1pm.

The woman, believed to be from the Braintree area, was declared dead at the scene while the man, aged in his 50s, was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where is remains in a critical condition. 

The collision also involved a white Mercedes Sprinter van and a white Ford Transit van. 

Two men, aged 44 and 70 and from Colchester, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The road remains closed for initial investigations to be completed and the road to be cleared. 

Witnesses or anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to contact the serious collision investigation unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk. 

Update 1.30pm Tuesday

Two men arrested after the incident have been released under investigation. 

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A SLIP road at Braintree’s busiest junction has been closed due to a two vehicle accident.

The collision took place on the southbound carriageway of Ashes Road, just after Long Green, at around 1.05pm this afternoon.

Essex Police have confirmed they have closed the exit slip on Galleys Corner roundabout onto Long Green.

Long delays are expected in the area.

There are reported to be several emergency vehicles in the area. 

Police have advised motorists to avoid the area while it deals with the serious collision. 

A spokesman said: "Officers are at the scene of a serious collision in Ashes Road, Cressing.

"People are advised that some disruption will be experienced between Galleys Corner and Lanham Green Road.

"Please follow the directions of officers on scene, they are there for everyone’s safety and will ensure the flow of traffic resumes as quickly as possible.

"More updates will follow, the public are thanked for their patience."

Witnesses or anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to contact the serious collision investigation unit on 101.

The fire service attended the accident and made sure the scene was safe. 

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "The East of England Ambulance Service Trust was called to a serious road traffic collision on Ashes Road, Cressing at 12.41pm today (14th August).

"Two ambulances, the Hazardous Area Response Team, both Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and two ambulance officers attended."