A 20-YEAR-OLD woman has suffered life-changing injuries after she was struck by two vehicles on a busy road.

The woman was hit on the A13 between Tesco and the Five Bells roundabout, at the Pitsea flyover, at about 7am yesterday morning.

The Echo understands she was hit by the cars on the London-bound carriageway whilst attempting to reach the Wharf Lane Industrial Estate using a crossing on the dual carriageway.

The ambulance service confirmed it sent a crew and an ambulance officer to the incident.

The woman was treated at the scene and later taken to Basildon Hospital in a serious condition, after suffering multiple injuries to her head, chest and legs.

Although the accident was cleared by 9am, long delays continued with congestion at Sadlers Farm Roundabout, on the A129 to Carpenters Arms Roundabout, the A130 to Rettendon Turnpike and to Victoria House Roundabout, Hadleigh.

It prompted motorists to take to social media calling in to question the safety of the crossing to the industrial estate.

Richard Vogt, from Basildon, said: “The number of people I see every day trying to cross the A13 putting their lives at risk to get to work on that industrial estate is shocking.”

Others complained at Essex County Council’s failure to put a footbridge in place and wished the woman a speedy recovery.

Jonathan Hillier, from Southend, says the incident draws parallels with calls for a bridge on the A127.

He said: “I only said last week about this spot when I saw an article on the A127 bridge that they are stalling on.

“I would fully blame the council for not put a footbridge in both spots. 

“What price do you put on people’s lives?

“I hope the lady is OK and the drivers are not to badly affected by what has happened.”

John Redding, from Basildon, said: “They need a bridge going across into that estate as soon as possible.

“If it saves one life it’s worth every penny, so come on Essex, let’s get it sorted out.”

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed they are launching an investigation into the accident.

He said: “Police were called by the ambulance service at around 7.10am to a RTC on the A13 London-bound at Pitsea between the Tesco roundabout and the Five Bells.

“Officers attended and found an 20-year-old woman who had been in collision with two vehicles.

“She was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.”

Last month, motorists suffered long delays along the A13 after two separate crashes in the space of just three miles.

The first, a multi-car accident, took place near the junction with The Manorway in Stanford-le-Hope.

The second was at the A1089 Dock Approach Road in Orsett, involved a motorbike and a car.

A September accident saw a van driver die following a crash in queuing traffic on the same junction after crashing on the Southend-bound lane.

The crash involved an Audi TT, a Fiat 500 and a stationary lorry and caused a mile of tailbacks.