POLICE have arrested a woman for failing to provide a roadside sample after a serious collision in Benfleet which left a vehicle on its roof.

The police, fire and ambulance services attended Sadlers Farm Roundabout at 1.15am on Saturday after reports of a collision.

A woman in her 20s allegedly refused to provide a roadside sample and was arrested.

The collision also damaged traffic lights at the London Road Tarpots side of the roundabout, which Essex county councillor Andrew Sheldon has urged National Highways to repair by Monday.

Echo: Concerning – county councillor Andrew Sheldon said the collision 'looked very serious'Concerning – county councillor Andrew Sheldon said the collision 'looked very serious' (Image: Google Street View)

In a post on social media, Mr Sheldon said: “I have spoken to the Essex County Council emergency highways team and they are getting back to me with details of the planned repair.

“I have underlined how important it is that these are complete by Monday morning rush hour.”

Mr Sheldon told the Echo he drove past the incident 15 minutes after it occurred on Saturday morning and described it as “the worst accident I think I have ever seen on that roundabout”.

He said: “At 1.30am, I was driving back from a volunteering gig – I could see the blue lights from the distance and when I got to the roundabout there was a fire appliance, ambulance and police there.

“Almost in the middle of the roundabout was a car on its roof with the glass smashed.

“It looked like a very serious accident and my thoughts and prayers are with anyone involved and emergency services who had to deal with the scene.”

He continued:” Accidents of that severity are incredibly rare on that roundabout.

“This is the worst accident I think I have ever seen on that roundabout.

“The cars must have been going at some speed for the car to roll into the middle of the roundabout.”

Echo: Response – police, fire, and ambulance crews were all on the scene in the aftermath of the incidentResponse – police, fire, and ambulance crews were all on the scene in the aftermath of the incident (Image: Newsquest)

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed that, despite the severity of the incident, no injuries were reported.

He said: “At the scene it was reported one car had been involved in a collision.

“Colleagues from the fire service and ambulance service also attended the scene.

“No injuries were reported.

“A woman in her 20s was arrested for failing to provide a roadside sample.”