A MAN has been taken to hospital after a car "smashed through a tree" at speed before crashing into railings.

Emergency services were called to Ness Road, at the junction with Shoebury Common, after witnesses reported the car careering off the road at speed.

Photos from the scene show the car severely damaged and residents described it crashing into a tree before coming to a halt against railings.

A man was taken to hospital for further treatment following the incident at 7pm on Saturday.

Peter Grubb owns Uncle Tom’s Cabin, just metres away from where the crash occurred, and saw the aftermath as police and ambulance services attended.

He said: “I only saw the aftermath as I was round the corner, but I saw police blocked the road, and the ambulance in attendance.

“There was substantial front-end damage.

“One of the fur trees was taken out, and several road signs were uprooted, before it came to rest on the car park fencing.”

Mr Grubb added that speeding in the area has been an issue recently but was not aware of what caused this accident.

He added: “Whilst the incident happened at night, there is a children’s playground across the road.

“I only saw the aftermath of this crash, but speed is a long-term issue at this location, especially with motorbikes.

“Interestingly a few weeks back too, a car went off the road ploughing into the mud bank adjacent to Ness Road.”

Essex Police were contacted for comment.

They confirmed they attended the incident but did not provide a statement due to its nature and lack of serious injuries.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service added: “One ambulance and one ambulance officer vehicle were sent to Ness Road, Shoebury on Saturday evening following reports of a road traffic collision.

“One man was transported to Southend University Hospital for further assessment and care.”