A man was dragged along the road as he clung to the side of his partner's car to stop her leaving.

The 37-year-old, who suffered head injuries in the ordeal, today defied doctor's recommendations by discharging himself from Southend Hospital.

Witnesses watched in amazement as the victim was dragged helpless along the road in yesterday's ordeal.

Police were called to an address in Christchurch Road, Southend, shortly before 6.30pm following reports of a bitter domestic feud.

They arrived to find the victim lying injured in the road.

Police said he had been hurled from the car as it swerved violently in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision and hit two parked cars.

Police today appealed for other witnesses.

A spokesman said: "It appears there was some kind of dispute between the victim and the driver. The woman tried to leave in a white Renault 5, but the victim tried to stop her by hanging on to the passenger door of her car.

"The woman did not stop and as a result the man was dragged along the road.

"When the car reached the junction of Boscombe Road it collided with a blue Austin Metro and collided with a brown Renault and a silver Citroen, which were parked at the side of the road."

Information to PC Darren Beer at Rayleigh on 01268 775533.

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