A man is in hospital with life threatening injuries after an Audi is believed to have driven the wrong way down the London-bound carriageway of the A12 before colliding with a recovery vehicle.

Essex Police were called to the incident on the A12 just outside Colchester, between junction 25 for Marks Tey and 24 for Kelvedon, shortly before midnight on Saturday May 2.

A white Audi A1 and a recovery vehicle were involved in the collision and it is believed the Audi was travelling the wrong way along the carriageway.

Four fire engines were called to the scene and crews worked to remove a man who was trapped in one of the vehicles.

He was freed at 12.45am and was left in the care of the ambulance service.

The driver of the Audi, aged 50, sustained multiple injuries in the collision and is in a life threatening condition.

The lorry driver also sustained injuries and went to hospital but his injuries are not described as life-threatening.

The southbound carriageway was closed throughout the morning as police investigated the incident and has now been reopened.

Police are now appealing for anyone who saw a white Audi A1 in the moments before the collision to come forward.

Anyone who saw the collision or who has any dash cam footage should call 101 quoting incident 1205 of May 2, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.