TWO members of the council's parks team have been left with "serious injuries" after a crash this morning in a major Southend road.

Officers were called to Royal Artillery Way after 7am this morning after a four-vehicle crash involving three ride-on lawnmowers and a car.

All emergency services attended with an air ambulance landing near the scene. Two people were rushed to hospital with serious injuries - the first was transported to Southend Hospital and the second was airlifted to Royal London Hospital.

Southend Council has confirmed two of its parks team were involved in the serious crash. 

A Southend Council spokesperson said: “Two of our parks team were involved in a serious road accident on Royal Artillery Way this morning, which was attended by the emergency services.

“We thank those in the emergency services for their swift response, and our thoughts at this time are with our colleagues and others involved. Their families and colleagues have been notified and we are in close contact with them.

"We will give further updates as appropriate."

Police remain at the scene this afternoon.

A 24-year-old man, from Benfleet, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink/drugs. 

Anyone with any information or dashcam footage should contact Essex Police via the website at essex.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 187 of 19 April.