A MAN has admitted stabbing another driver in the chest after the pair were spotted arguing in the street.

Yesterday Max Marchant appeared at Basildon Crown Court via video link from HMP Chelmsford where he pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

Marchant, 22, of Blenheim Chase, Leigh, was arrested on August 11 and was charged and remanded in custody before he appeared to enter a plea.

The attack took place in Cherry Orchard Way at the junction with Hall Road, Rochford, on July 30, and witnesses described the two men fighting before a knife was pulled by Marchant.

The victim was able to escape and drive himself home before he had to be air lifted to hospital with a stab wound to the chest.

Medics described the injury as serious but not life-threatening or life-changing.

One witness, who has asked not to be named, said: "The two cars had stopped in the street.

"A guy got out of a white Polo and another man got out of a white Ford Focus RS.

"Things got pretty heated quite quickly and I wondered what was going on.

"They were arguing about something - I don't know what - and then the man who got out of the Polo plunged a knife into his chest.

"It was horrible. I've never seen anything like it. I called the police and told them what had happened.

"The victim was able to drive himself home I think before he was airlifted to hospital."

Other witnesses reported seeing the air ambulance land near Brendan Way, Eastwood.

It is unknown if the two men were known to each other or whether this was an incident of road rage.

During their investigation, Essex Police were unable to say whether it was targeted but described the attack as an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.

Marchant was remanded in custody until his next appearance when he will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on October 19.