A WOMAN has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after a car she was driving went into a tree.
The car, a Volkswagen T-Cross, then became engulfed in flames after it left the road at the junction of Avon Way and St Andrew's Avenue, Colchester.
An air ambulance landed in Salary Brook nature reserve as the emergency services rushed to attend to the motionless car which came to a halt in the middle of the Greenstead roundabout on Sunday.
A woman was then airlifted to the Royal London Hospital for treatment after she suffered serious injuries to her legs.
Essex Police says it is now appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to the incident which took place at about 3.50pm to come forward.
A spokesman added: “The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries to her legs which have been described as possibly life-changing.
“She was taken to hospital for treatment.”
Wivenhoe town councillor Shaun Boughton was travelling into Colchester when he spotted the incident which he described as “awful”.
“There were sheets up and it looked pretty horrendous,” said Mr Boughton. “Part of the road was closed for a good couple of hours.
“Hopefully the person involved makes a speedy recovery, it’s always a worry when there’s a serious accident and it’s certainly not everyday you see one like that.
“It was quite a bizarre, freak accident.
“I must praise all of the emergency service workers, it was a multiple organisation operation and it seemed pretty hands-on.”
One resident told the Gazette they understood the car had travelled down St Andrew's Avenue towards Greenstead and failed to stop when approaching the roundabout.
The car then mounted the roundabout before coming to a stop when it struck the tree, it is understood.
Another motorist stated paramedics remained at the scene until at least 5.30pm while a tow truck dealt with the stricken vehicle.
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman added: “An ambulance, operations manager and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.
“An adult woman was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital for treatment.”
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