POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an horrific road crash which has left four people injured including one man who is critically-ill in hospital.

James Hore

Police are appealing for witnesses to an horrific road crash in Chelmsford which has left four people injured including one man who is critically-ill in hospital.

The accident happened when the driver of a blue BMW 318 lost control of his car as he travelled on the southbound carriageway of the A1114 Essex Yeomanry Way, leaving the road before coming to rest 80ft into a field.

The accident happened between the Army and Navy flyover and the junction with the A1060 at about 1.30am today.

Four men were injured and taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, by ambulance and the road was closed for eight hours as officers dealt with the carnage.

A 31-year-old man from Ilford is in a critical condition after he was left with multiple injuries.

A 39-year-old man from Hackney in north London and a 37-year-old man from Ilford in east London suffered serious multiple injuries and are currently in stable conditions.

Essex Police said that a 39-year-old man from Chelmsford was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive a vehicle.

However, he has yet to be officially questioned because he is being treated for head injuries at the hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

The BMW was recovered from the field and debris cleared.

Any witnesses to the crash are urged to contact investigating officers at Chelmsford road policing unit on 0300 333 4444.

Three fire crews from Chelmsford attended and used specialist cutting equipment to free one of the men.