A MAN sustained serious injuries in a seafront horror crash.

The car, in which he was a passenger, was left dangling over the edge of a 15ft drop, following the crash on Thorpe Esplanade in Thorpe Bay.

Debris from the wrecked red Toyota Supra was strewn across the road and beach, while damage was caused to nearby beach huts.

The man, a 43-year-old from Shoebury, suffered serious head, chest and leg injuries in the crash. He remained in a serious condition in intensive care yesterday.

The driver of the car, a 36-year-old man, also from Shoebury, has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and drink driving.

Sgt Mark Ammon, of the Rayleigh road policing unit, said: “The driver is assisting us with our inquiries.

“He was taken to the police station having received medical treatment.”

The incident happened at 6.50pm on Monday in Thorpe Esplanade at its junction with Thorpe Hall Avenue.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said the car was travelling towards Southend from Shoebury when it mounted the pavement, crossed the cycle lane and snapped off a concrete bench before ploughing into the railings.

Six beach huts suffered structural damage as debris was sent flying.

A fire and rescue service spokesman said: "With all three blue light services working as a team the casualty was released in just less than 30 minutes."

The road was closed for less than an hour.

FOR FULL STORY AND PICTURES SEE WEDNESDAY'S ECHO.