A mother has described her horror when she helped to rescue a woman who crashed her car at Heybridge Basin.

A woman in her mid 20s driving a black SUV came off the road and crashed into trees near the Mill Beach pub in Goldhanger Road.

Following the accident, the driver slid out of the driver-side door semi-conscious, as witnesses rushed to help her.

Sarah Carney, 46, of Kingston Chase, Heybridge, was driving to Osea Leisure Park when she saw the crash and stopped to help.

She said: “You feel shaken when you see something like that – I didn’t know what to expect when I opened my door. It all happened in a flash. I was driving behind a bus and the car was coming the other way.

“It hit a tree with its front end then spun and hit another tree, I couldn’t believe it.

“The bumper was off and the car was smashed – she had suddenly appeared from around the corner.”

Mrs Carney, who used to be a first aid worker, rushed to the vehicle while the bus driver and a motorcyclist also stopped.

She said: “I know you’re not meant to move someone but she had slid out of the car. She kept going in and out of consciousness and complained her arm hurt.

“The motorcyclist put his coat around her.

“He and the bus driver spoke to her to reassure her and help her stay conscious.

“When I called 999 they were there in minutes but it felt like a lifetime.

“I hope she’s okay.”

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, an ambulance crew and an ambulance officer attended the scene following the call at 10.13am on November 7.

The woman was treated at the scene and was in a stable condition.

An ambulance took her to Broomfield Hospital for further treatment.