A MAN was seriously injured today after reportedly being thrown 40ft from a convertible sports car that had smashed into a lamppost.

Police said the black BMW M3 spun out of control in Boars Tye Road, Silver End, near Braintree, around 10am.

One man was taken to Broomfield Hospital with serious multiple leg injuries while another - believed to be a passenger in the car - fled the scene.

Both are believed to be in their 20s.

The road was closed for around four hours while investigations were carried out by specialist officers.

A spokeswoman for East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 10.05am to Boars Tye Road. A car hit a lamppost and one man in his early 20s was thrown into ditch - the caller states 40ft.

“He suffered multiple leg injuries but was conscious and breathing and taken to Broomfield Hospital by land. “Another man in his early 20s appeared not to have suffered serious injuries, although he left the scene so we couldn’t assess.”

A police spokesman added: “Police want to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information about events leading to the crash.

“They especially want to talk to a person who took photographs of the crash scene shortly after the incident happened. It is thought that the photographer might have useful information about the crash.

“Anyone who can help should contact Sgt Jeff Moye at Dunmow Road Policing Unit on 101.”