One person was rushed to hospital following a crash in Westcliff. 

Police were forced to close Hamlet Court Road yesterday afternoon following a collision between two vehicles at the junction with Station Road. 

Firefighters from Southend and Rochford were called to the scene and had to free one person trapped inside the wreckage. 

The ambulance service has since confirmed it treated three people at the scene. 

A spokesman said: "We sent an ambulance and ambulance officer vehicle to Hamlet Court Road at around 1.45pm yesterday following reports of a collision.

"Crews treated three patients at the scene and transported one to Southend Hospital for further assessment and care."

Traffic was said to have coped well despite the road closure, which was eventually lifted by 3.30pm. 

A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said: "Firefighters were called to assist at the scene of a road traffic collision involving two vehicles which left one person trapped in their vehicle.

"Fire crews worked with paramedics to safely rescued the casualty from the vehicle by 2:15pm."

The incident happened at the same time as fallen power cables blocked the A127 in Basildon and caused long delays. 

One eyewitness reported seeing vehicles turn around and drive the wrong way down the road in a bid to avoid the long queues.