A MAN who was seriously hurt when a car hit him and his friends in a horror crash on the seafront has thanked the Canvey community for raising more than £6,000.

Emergency services, including three air ambulances, rushed to Furtherwick Road on Canvey on Saturday, shortly after 4.10pm, after a blue BMW 120D crashed into five men.

Two of the men are still recovering in hospital, while the other three have been treated and released.

The day after the crash, a fundraising page in aid of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance was set up to thank the medics for their robust response and a staggering £6,000 has been raised in a matter of days.

And now one of the victims, who remains in hospital, has thanked members of the community for their generosity, admitting the injuries suffered could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for air ambulance’s paramedics.

The victim, who asked not to be named at this stage, said: “I am completely overwhelmed by the support we have received for the fundraiser.

“If it wasn’t for the air ambulances our injuries could of been worse, they are a great charity and good to know that they are there when you need them.

“They helped up and whilst still in our hospital beds we decided to start that to give something back in return.”

Five men aged in their early 20s and from Canvey were treated at the scene for serious injuries before being taken to hospitals across Essex and London.

Police arrested two men in relation to the incident and have now charged one of the suspects.

Max Maxwell, 18, of Small Gains Avenue, Canvey, has been charged with four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, one count of aggravated vehicle taking and one count of driving without insurance.

A 17-year-old boy from Canvey was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, aggravated vehicle taking and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He has been released on bail until May 5, pending further enquiries.

Maxwell appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Monday and has been remanded in custody.

He will appear Basildon Crown Court on May 14 for a pre-trial hearing.

You can add your donation to the appeal by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/airambulanceappeal