A BIN collector was hit by a car while collecting garden waste, sparking an urgent warning from Southend Council.

The crash, on Friday afternoon, saw the Veolia worker suffer minor injuries after being clipped by a car while collecting a bin in Southchurch. 

The incident comes less than two months after a crash saw two members of the council’s parks team left with serious injuries when there ride-on lawnmowers were hit by a car in Royal Artillery Way.

Southend Labour councillor for environment, Lydia Hyde, has now urged drivers to be take care when they spot council staff and contractors working in the street.

Ms Hyde said: “I got a call to say what happened around 3.30pm, I was told a member of the team was doing garden waste collection and was hit by a car.

“Thankfully the injuries were quite minor. We’ve had one accident already, so it was a bit of a scare but in this instance, it was only minor injuries.

“I urge when people see Veolia staff, remember they are doing their jobs, and you must be careful.”

Ms Hyde previously comment on Friday on X that “for those concerned about the Veolia crew member who got hit by a car collecting the green waste in Southend this afternoon, I’m pleased to say that his injuries were minor and he’s not needed to stay in hospital.”

A spokesperson for Southend Council said: “We are aware of an incident involving a contractor’s member of staff.

“We wish them a speedy recovery.”

Ilana Shaw from Veolia Southend said: "A member of our collection crew was involved in a collision with a vehicle in Southchurch on Friday.

The safety of our teams is paramount and whilst the emergency services were called, we are thankful that he was not seriously injured. An investigation is underway into the incident."

This accident follows an accident on Royal Artillery on April 19, that left two members of the parks team with serious injuries after a car ploughed into three ride-on lawnmowers.

The council has since reported that the two workers are home and beginning their “long road to recovery” following the crash.

The families of the two victims, as well as their colleagues who were present at the time of the crash, received support from the council in the aftermath of the crash.

A 24-year-old man from Benfleet was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

He was later released on bail until July 1.