A 25-year-old driver was killed this morning in a car crash in rural Essex and his passenger is fighting for his life.

James Hore

A 25-year-old driver was killed this morning in a car crash in rural Essex and his passenger is fighting for his life.

The accident happened just after 5am near the village of Great Bardfield.

A local man heard a bang outside his house and came outside to see that a black Citroen Saxo had come off the Braintree road and collided with trees.

Police were first on the scene and called firefighters who cut the two men from the car.

The driver- from nearby Wethersfield - died and his 26-year-old passenger, from Great Bardfield, was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries.

Essex Police confirmed the passenger is in a critical, life-threatening condition.

The Saxo is thought to have been the only vehicle involved in the accident.

Fire crews from Wethersfield, Thaxted, and the recue tender from Harlow went to the scene.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact Dunmow road policing unit on 0300 333 4444.