Southend's main arterial road was shut for five hours as emergency crews tackled a five-car smash.
The accident left debris and oil strewn across the A127 near the Progress Road traffic lights at 7.10pm on Saturday.
Drivers heading for Southend were left stranded for up to two hours.
Rayleigh traffic police were on the scene to re-direct traffic which quickly stacked up beyond the A130 roundabout, forcing drivers to wait until the Rayleigh Weir before choosing either the B1013 through Rayleigh or the slow-moving A13 traffic.
A spokesman said: "Of the five vehicles one was badly damaged and fire crews had to cut a couple free from one car. There were four casualties in all, mostly cuts and bruises, and they were all taken to Southend Hospital for treatment.
"The main problem was the amount of debris and the oil. We had to call the council to sand the oil down otherwise, what with Sunday's rain, you're just asking for more trouble."
Pile-up - rescue crews race to clear the wreckage after Saturday's five-car smash at Eastwood
Picture: MIKE MINERS
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