A 35-year-old man was in a "critical" condition today (Monday) after his car flipped over and smashed into two trees on the A12 at Witham.

The motorist, from the Braintree area, is being treated for serious head injuries at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, after the crash in the early hours of Saturday.

An Essex Police spokesman said today: "He is improving, but he is still in a critical condition."

His female passenger, 31, also from Braintree, escaped with only minor injuries in the crash at 12.35am and was taken to Broomfield Hospital.

She was discharged later that morning.

The pair were returning home from a night out in Chelmsford and were leaving the northbound A12 at the Hatfield Road turn-off, near Lynfield Motors, when the accident happened.

The Ford Mondeo left the slip road, rolled over and ploughed into the trees. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Paramedics and a doctor attended the scene and firefighters worked to make the wrecked vehicle safe.

Traffic police have launched a full investigation into the crash and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact PC Keith Dace at Bocking traffic police on 01376 330722

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