A HALSTEAD man has been arrested following a crash in north Essex which left two pensioners with severe head injuries.

The collision happened in Sible Hedingham when a black Renault Clio and a blue Toyota RAV4 struck each other on Potter Street shortly after 1pm on Sunday.

The Toyota driver, a 75-year-old woman, and the passenger, a man in his 70s, both from the Halstead area, were taken to Cambridgeshire’s Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Essex Police have said both sustained severe head injuries and last night were in stable conditions.

The Clio driver, a 24-year-old man, and the passenger, a 20-year-old woman, both from Halstead area, were taken to Colchester General Hospital after sustaining minor neck and chest injuries. They were later discharged.

The 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of careless driving before being released on police bail until Wednesday, July 7 pending further enquiries.

Traffic police are keen to trace the driver and possible passengers of a dark-coloured driving instructor’s car that witnesses say was travelling directly behind the Renault before the collision. A section of the road was closed for four hours.

Anyone with information in connection with this collision is urged to telephone 0300 333 4444.