Rush-hour traffic across south Essex was plunged into chaos after two accidents involving a digger and a fire engine.

Drivers travelling into London along the A13 faced severe tailbacks as all six lanes of the carriageway, affecting traffic from both directions, were sealed off near Rainham.

A spokesman for the Met Police said a London Fire Service vehicle was involved in an accident as it went to the scene of another crash involving a JCB.

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