Motorists faced traffic chaos after a four-car accident on the A12.

Part of the road was closed after the pile-up on the north-bound carriageway between Hatfield Peverel and Witham at around 8.10am today (Tuesday).

Commuters faced major delays throughout the morning, with tailbacks stretching back for more than five miles.One woman driving a Citroen AX was trapped in her car for around 30 minutes. She was taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, with whiplash injuries.

No-one else was hurt in the collision which also involved a Vauxhall Vectra, a Volkswagen Polo and an Astra van.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said the roads were chaotic with rubberneckers adding to the traffic problems.

She said: "The delays were both London and Colchester bound. People travelling in the opposite direction were stopping to look.

"The road was closed because of the severe danger to other motorists. Also officers were investigating how the crash happened."

Diversions were put into place with traffic diverted through Hatfield Peverel and back on to the A12.

One lane of the carriageway opened at around 10am but drivers still faced major delays.

Fire crews from Colchester and Chelmsford attended the scene.

The scene of the crash on the A12

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