A TEENAGER and a woman in her eighties were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a three-vehicle crash on the A12.

The smash, between a minibus, a grey Renault Kangoo and a black Alfa Romeo Spider, took place between junction 27, at Colchester, and junction 28 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The 14-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the minibus, was taken to Colchester General Hospital alongside the woman, aged in her eighties.

Both had to be cut free by firefighters.

Motorist Dominic Littler, 24, was one of thousands of drivers caught on the A12 while it was shut for more than one hour on Thursday from 6.20pm.

He said: "I was stuck on the A12 for around 45 minutes.

"I saw about four police cars go past and a doctors car being escorted by police."

Four fire engines were also called to the scene.

Mr Littler added: "They closed both lanes and diverted traffic off the A12 towards the roundabout for the Avenue of Remembrance."

Firefighters used cutting equipment to remove the roof from a car to release one woman.

Colchester Station Officer Craig Todd, who was on the scene, said: "We tend to see an increase in road traffic collisions at this time of year and urge people to take extra care when driving.

"Slow down, make sure you wear a seatbelt, be aware of other motorists, never use any kind of phone or hand held device while you’re driving and under no circumstances drive under the influence of drink or drugs."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, on the northbound carriageway.

Anyone with any information should contact PC Alan Lamb in the Stanway Roads Policing Unit on 101 or on email at 460@essex.pnn.police.uk.