A WOMAN has died following a serious crash on the A13 near Rainham.

Essex Police say shortly after 2.30am this morning, a vehicle failed to stop when requested by officers on the A13 in Essex.

Officers then remained in the proximity of that vehicle as it travelled on the A13 near Rainham.

The vehicle was then involved in a serious collision with another vehicle.

READ MORE >> Severe delays as A13 closed both ways due to police incident

Despite the best efforts of officers and medics at the scene, a female passenger in the second vehicle has now died.

The A13 still remains closed in both directions as a result and queues are more than four miles long.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper, Essex Police gold commander, said: "We are currently working with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service who, at this stage, are leading the response to the incident. 

"As is appropriate, we have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct which has declared an independent investigation.”