A YOUNG girl had a miraculous escape from serious injury after a van smashed into the back of a lorry.

Emergency services rushed to Beckingham Street in Tolleshunt Major yesterday afternoon after a van crashed into the back of a lorry, with the trailer going straight through the van's windscreen.

The incident, which took place shortly after 4pm yesterday, was attended by police and ambulance services.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We received a call at 4.44pm on Thursday with reports of a crash involving a van and a lorry on Beckingham Street, Tolleshunt Major.

"A rapid response vehicle and ambulance were dispatched where they treated a young girl at the scene for a suspected head injury.

"She was taken to Colchester General Hospital for further treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening."