Five emergency service workers have been injured, two seriously, after a van ploughed into them as they dealt with an earlier road traffic collision in Essex.
Early morning incident on the A130
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, January 10, at approximately 12.15am. A group consisting of three off-duty police officers and two paramedics had stopped to assist the driver of a Nissan X-Trail which had crashed on the A130.
While the team was providing help at the scene, a white Ford Transit van was involved in a second collision, striking the emergency workers. Essex Police confirmed the incident, stating the van hit the group as they worked.
Serious injuries and swift arrests
One paramedic and one police officer sustained serious injuries and both remain in hospital receiving treatment. The three other emergency workers also suffered injuries.
Police moved quickly to make arrests in connection with the incident. Three men have been taken into custody on suspicion of multiple offences.
A 23-year-old man from Canvey was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
A 29-year-old man from Westcliff was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a class B or C drug, and being in charge of a vehicle while unfit.
A 39-year-old man, also from Canvey, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
Police appeal for information
Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin of Essex Police said the force's thoughts were with the injured workers and their families, who are being offered support. He stressed the investigation is active and urged the public not to speculate.
"Those arrested remain in custody and we are working through inquiries at pace," he stated. "If the public have any information – or crucially dashcam footage of the vehicles involved – that they believe will assist our investigation, please get in touch."
The police are treating the incident with the utmost seriousness and continue to investigate the circumstances leading to both collisions on the A130 that night.
