POLICE are appealing for witnesses to two major road accidents on Christmas Eve which left one person dead and another two seriously injured.The first happened when a Ford Escort car left the Colchester bound A12 near Marks Tey at around 7am.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to two major road accidents on Christmas Eve which left one person dead and another two seriously injured.

The first happened when a Ford Escort car left the Colchester bound A12 near Marks Tey at around 7am.

The fatal accident happened on the Ipswich-bound carriageway of the three-lane road, just before the Stanway turnoff.

It is believed the young woman lost control of a blue Ford Escort, which left the road to the near side and collided with trees.

The sole occupant, who has not yet been named, was declared dead at the scene.

No other vehicle was involved in the crash.

Police closed off both the carriageway and the slip road leading on to the A12 from the A120. Traffic was diverted via Marks Tey.

The second accident happened at around 5.50pm on Ferrers Road, South Woodham Ferrers, when a Citroen heading towards Chelmsford was in collision with a Ford Fiesta travelling in the opposite direction.

Three fire crews, including a special rescue unit, were sent to the scene and officers used cutting gear to remove the roof of the Fiesta in order to rescue the woman driver.

Both she and the man who was driving the Citroen were taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

Both suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Anyone with any information about the Colchester fatal accident is asked to call Pc John Simpson at Stanway Road Policing Unit on 01206 762512.

Witnesses to the South Woodham Ferrers crash are asked to contact Chelmsford Road Policing Unit on 01245 452 918.