A driver who crashed into a fuel container on the A12 is said by police to have been “lucky to escape alive”.

The crash happened on the A12 near to junction 29 at Colchester on Monday evening, December 9.

The driver of a Citroen Picasso, a 35-year-old man from Colchester, was in collision with the white Scania fuel container before crashing into trees.

Pictures of the scene show the front of the car and windscreen completely destroyed and a number of paramedics and firefighters.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said a woman was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries said to be serious but non-life threatening. The driver is not understood to have sustained any injuries.

East Anglian Daily Times: the crash scene was in place for several hours while Essex Police cleared the damaged vehicle and debris from the A12 Picture: PC TOM RAESthe crash scene was in place for several hours while Essex Police cleared the damaged vehicle and debris from the A12 Picture: PC TOM RAES (Image: PC TOM RAES)

Pc Tom Raes, who responded to the incident, said the driver was "lucky to escape alive".

The driver has been reported for careless driving.

East Anglian Daily Times: The driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel before colliding with another vehicle Picture: PC TOM RAESThe driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel before colliding with another vehicle Picture: PC TOM RAES (Image: PC TOM RAES)