A motorcyclist has escaped serious injury despite losing his helmet in a four-vehicle smash in Rochford.

The 38-year-old came off his blue and white Kawasaki yesterday.750cc bike in Southend Road shortly after 4pm on Tuesday.

While the motorcycle came to rest, wedged under a red Ford Focus, the rider suffered a broken left femurand broken right ankle during the incident.

The smash, which also involved two other vehicles, also left the man, from Swanscombe in Kent, with concussion.

Two ambulances, a paramedic rapid response vehicle, police and two fire crews from Southend fire station were called to the scene of the accident, which saw Southend Road closed in both directions at its junction with Ann Boleyn Drive.

The 55-year-old Rochford woman driving the Focus suffered minor facial injuries and bruises to her chest from her seat belt.

Both were taken to Southend Hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Firefighters from Southend and Leigh fire stations cleaned the road and made the vehicles safe while police arranged to have them removed.

Anyone with information should call Rayleigh road policing unit on 01268 775533.