A MOTORIST today had a narrow escape after the car he was driving hit a tree around three feet up its trunk.Police and paramedics, including the Essex Air Ambulance, were called to the scene of the single-car accident, which took place on the Ipswich-bound carriageway of the A12 between Stratford St Mary and Dedham shortly before 11.

A MOTORIST today had a narrow escape after the car he was driving hit a tree around three feet up its trunk.

Police and paramedics, including the Essex Air Ambulance, were called to the scene of the single-car accident, which took place on the Ipswich-bound carriageway of the A12 between Stratford St Mary and Dedham shortly before 11.45am.

An Essex Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The car clipped the kerb before hitting a tree. The force of the collision actually snapped the top off the tree.

“Astonishingly, the man managed to get out the car despite the bonnet having extensive damage.”

The 36-year-old man from London, on his way to Lowestoft, appeared almost completely uninjured but was taken to Colchester General Hospital for a check-up.

An Essex Police spokesman said one lane of the Ipswich-bound carriageway was closed so the blue Volkswagen Polo, which ended up down the embankment, could be removed.

The air ambulance was cancelled when it became clear the driver was not seriously injured.