A man has been rushed to hospital after crashing into an electricity pylon.

Ambulance and fire crews were called to a road traffic collision on the A13 this morning.

The vehicle is blocking the road in both directions at the junction of Downer Road.

A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "Fire crews were called to the scene of a road traffic collision this morning.

"On arrival, firefighters reported that one person was trapped inside their vehicle, after it had collided with an electricity pylon.

"Firefighters worked with the electricity board to ensure the area was safe and were able to release the person by 8:50am." 

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "We were called at just after 7.30am this morning to reports of a road traffic collision on London Road, Benfleet.

"A rapid response vehicle, two ambulance crews and an ambulance officer were sent to the scene.

"The patient, believed to be a male in his 30s, was transported by road to Southend University Hospital with head injuries. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening."

There is slow moving traffic on the A13 London Road at Bread and Cheese Hill due to an accident involving one vehicle.

Traffic travelling from Hadleigh and South Benfleet has been affected.