OFFICERS are appealing for witnesses after a crash on the A12 left one dead and another in a serious condition.

The accident happened at around 7.05pm yesterday on the northbound carriageway between Kelvedon and Marks Tey.

Officers attended to find a Ford Mondeo had left the road and collided with a tree on the embankment.

The car driver, a 59-year-old man from the Colchester area, died at the scene.

His passenger, a 57-year-old woman also from the Colchester area, was taken to Colchester Hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries.

East of England Ambulance Service scrambled two ambulances, two response cars and a rapid response doctor to the scene.

Spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “Sadly on our arrival, a man was pronounced dead at the scene and the woman, who received serious injuries, was taken to Colchester General Hospital for further care.

“Our thoughts are with the families of all involved at this tragic time.”

The carriageway was closed until 11pm while the vehicle was recovered and police carried out investigations.

Witnesses should call the Essex Police serious collision investigation unit on 101 or e-mail collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk