A multi-vehicle crash took place on the A12 at Witham on Saturday night and two people had to be freed from their vehicles by firefighters.

Three cars and an Impact Protection Vehicle (IPV) were involved in the crash, which took place on the southbound carriageway between Junction 21 to 20B – Witham to Hatfield Peverel – around 11.20pm.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service freed two people from their vehicles and five patients were left in the care of the ambulance service.

Colin Shead, of the Roads Policing Unit at Essex Police, said the Vauxhall driver suffered minor injuries.

He tweeted: “These images show how effective the safety vehicle has been in protecting the driver of the Vauxhall and the driver of the Highways East vehicle. Thankfully, the Vauxhall driver only received minor injuries.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Police are appealing for witnesses after a crash on the A12 at Witham last night Picture: COLIN SHEADPolice are appealing for witnesses after a crash on the A12 at Witham last night Picture: COLIN SHEAD (Image: Archant)

Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage is asked to call police on 101.

East Anglian Daily Times: Police are appealing for witnesses after a crash on the A12 at Witham last night Picture: COLIN SHEADPolice are appealing for witnesses after a crash on the A12 at Witham last night Picture: COLIN SHEAD (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Police are appealing for witnesses after a crash on the A12 at Witham last night Picture: COLIN SHEADPolice are appealing for witnesses after a crash on the A12 at Witham last night Picture: COLIN SHEAD (Image: Archant)