A MAN remains in a critical condition after he drove into a tree in the early hours of Friday.

Firefighters had to cut the 57 year-old man, from Southend, out of his car following the crash in Lifstan Way.

The blue Fiesta left the road at about 5.30am and two fire crews, police and the ambulance service were called to the scene.

Firefighters used specialist cutting equipment to get the man out of the car by 6.06am and he was left in the care of the East of England Ambulance Service, before paramedics took him to hospital.

The man sustained serious leg, hip, chest and shoulder injuries.

He remains in the Royal London Hospital.

Police are urging eyewitnesses to come forward.

PC Steve Catton said: "The Fiesta was travelling towards the seafront so I believe it may have come from the general direction of Southchurch Road.

" I would like to speak to any witnesses to this crash and also to anyone who may have seen the car being driven prior the collision.” 

Anyone with infotmation should call PC Catton at Southend Police Station on 101.