FIREFIGHTERS used cutting equipment to release an injured driver from his car following a crash.

The incident happened at 8.30am today on Dunton Road, Basildon, when one car slammed into the back of another.

The collision sent the front car into a ditch at the side of the road and the driver, described as a man in his mid-fifties, suffered facial injuries.

Police and ambulance crews attended the accident and called in two fire crews from Basildon to release the man.

Firefighters used specialist cutting equipment to take off the roof of the man's blue Rover, and pull him out.

He was then taken to Basildon Hospital.

The other car involved was a green Vauxhall Astra A section of the road was closed for 90 minutes while police recovered the car.

Officers said they are investigating the crash.