A SPATE of road smashes across Southend in worsening weather caused traffic chaos.

In the first accident, three people escaped with minor injuries after a black Fiat Punto flipped on its roof in Woodgrange Drive, Southchurch.

The collision with a red Ford Escort took place at 8.50pm on Sunday at the junction with Lifstan Way. The junction was closed until 11.15pm.

Three people suffered minor injuries including a young woman who was cut from the Punto and taken to Southend Hospital with suspected neck injuries.

Yesterday, there were two accidents at Rayleigh Weir, shortly before 9am. There was a five-car pile up on the Southend-bound lane of the A127 at the same time as a motorcyclist was involved in a collision on the London-bound side of the road.

The first crash involved a blue Nissan Primera, a black Mercedes 200E, a blue Ford Mondeo, a silver Ford KA and blue Jaguar Sovereign, which collided at 8.45am.

Two people suffered minor injuries and police blocked the approach to the A130 junction.

Ambulance crews were dealing with this accident when they were called to the other incident involving a car and an orange Suzuki motorbike. Those involved in both incidents sustained minor injuries. Police and fire crews also attended the scene of another accident, on Prittlewell Chase, shortly before 9am. It involved a silver Vauxhall and a green Ford Fiesta. No one was injured.

Minutes later another motorcyclist was injured after coming off his bike in Southchurch Road near the Tesco store. The man, in his 40s, suffered leg and head injuries and was taken to Southend Hospital.

Police said the rain, which arrived yesterday following a long dry spell, had not caused the accidents.