A FAMILY from Suffolk are lucky to be alive following a road crash in north-east Essex in which a car driver fled the scene.

The collision happened near Stanway when a blue BMW 3-Series and a blue Volkswagen Polo struck each other on the northbound carriageway of the A12 shortly after 11pm on Saturday, April 6.

The Polo overturned, leaving a couple and their two children injured. The BMW driver, who fled the scene leaving the car smoking, is now being sought by police.

Investigating officer, Pc Grant Fryatt, said: “This family could have been killed in this collision. The damage to both vehicles is very extensive and the four in the Polo are lucky to have walked away with just minor injuries.

“The BMW driver is likely to have been injured too and we are concerned for his health as well as wanting to speak to him in relation to the cause of the crash.”

The occupants of the Polo, who are from Ipswich, were conveyed to Colchester General Hospital and later discharged.

Lisa Sheldrake was the front-seat passenger. She said: “Our child seats were completely destroyed which illustrates the ferocity of the impact. I don’t know how our children walked away from that crash with just a few minor cuts and bruises. We had been returning home that Saturday evening after a day out shopping in south London.”

Two out of three lanes on the carriageway were closed until 1.30am while a scene investigation was carried out and the vehicles recovered.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.