AN INVESTIGATION will take place after a Basildon woman was killed in a crash on the A13.

The Independent Office of Police Conduct is investigating Essex Police’s involvement in the New Year’s Eve crash which killed two people.

One of those killed has been named as Rosemarie Carter, 71, who lived in Basildon. The other victim was Rusit Ataoglu, 43, from Erith.

Two cars crashed near the Witch’s Hat junction on the A13 near Dagenham at approximately 1.53am on December 31.

Police and ambulance crews attended the scene but sadly could not save either victims, who were the drivers of the cars.

It is understood a car was driving the wrong way along the road.

Essex Police notified IOPC at 11.30am on the same day, who declared they would carry out an investigation to examine police involvement prior to the crash.

A spokesman for IOPC said: “The collision took place near the Witch's Hat junction of the A13 around 1.53am. We were notified by Essex Police at around 11.30am the same day when we declared that an independent investigation would take place to examine the police involvement prior to the collision.

“At this stage we understand that Essex Police was notified that a car was driving the wrong way along the A13 and three police cars were sent to the area.”

Sarah Green, Regional Director of the IOPC, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies go to the families and friends of Mrs Carter and Mr Ataoglu and all those affected by this tragic collision.

“We will carry out an independent and rigorous investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision, our investigators have already begun to gather evidence and attended the police post incident procedure.

“We are in contact with both families and will keep them informed as our investigation progresses.”