AN Ipswich man was today named as the person who died when a car was sliced in two as it hit a large road sign near Chelmsford.Ahmed Aziz Ali, of Grove Lane, was one of three Iraqi nationals in the vehicle at the time of the early morning crash.

AN Ipswich man was today named as the person who died when a car was sliced in two as it hit a large road sign near Chelmsford.

Ahmed Aziz Ali, of Grove Lane, was one of three Iraqi nationals in the vehicle at the time of the early morning crash.

The 20-year-old was one of three occupants from the vehicle to be thrown across the road after the smash, during which the car careered into the sign on the A138 sliproad to the Colchester-bound A12 at Boreham.

The accident occurred around 2.15am on Sunday.

The red Rover 416 split in half on impact and Essex police have said no other vehicles were involved.

Mr Ali, who was the rear seat passenger, sustained fatal injuries and was taken to Broomfield Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

His two friends - believed to be the driver and front seat passenger - escaped without serious injury, but were both treated at hospital.

The men, who are aged 18 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The pair have been released on bail until October 13, when they have been ordered to return to Chelmsford police station.

The crash was only discovered when a passing ambulance from Braintree spotted the wreckage while on route to another emergency call.

Two other ambulances from Witham and Maldon attended within minutes.

Neil Hutchinson, of Essex Ambulance Service, said: "Considering the extent of the damage caused by the car colliding with the large traffic sign, the two men who survived were extremely lucky."

Officers from Chelmsford's road policing unit have spent the past two days interviewing the arrested men as efforts continued to contact Mr Ali's next of kin.

It is thought all three men had been in Chelmsford's town centre prior to the crash.

An Essex Police spokesman said traffic investigators were urging anyone who may have seen the vehicle at any time before the accident to come forward.

Witnesses are asked to contact Chelmsford road policing unit on 01245 452918.