AN ELDERLY woman suffered serious injuries when she apparently lost control of the car she was driving and ploughed into her neighbour's home, bursting through the front wall and smashing into the kitchen.

AN ELDERLY woman suffered serious injuries when she apparently lost control of the car she was driving and ploughed into her neighbour's home, bursting through the front wall and smashing into the kitchen.

The accident happened at around 10.40am yesterday at Well Side in Marks Tey.

The 67-year-old pensioner was cut out of her car by emergency services and was taken to Colchester General Hospital.

The house, which was empty at the time of the crash, has now been left with severe structural damage.

Part of the front of the building has collapsed entirely destroying the entrance room and kitchen area.

The homeowner, who asked not to be named, is now going to have to find somewhere else to live while the structural integrity of the damaged building is assessed.

He said: "I just can't believe this has happened. I'm trying to sort out insurance and trying my best to sort out this chaos in general.

"I wasn't here when it happened, when I got back it was as though everyone knew about it apart from me."

Pensioner Ann Morris was in her neighbouring home and saw the crash.

She said: "I was watching the news on the war with Iraq at the time. I had just turned it off when I heard a loud crash.

"I looked out and saw the car careering towards the house. It swerved narrowly missing a lamp post and ploughed into it.

"I have no idea what happened with the driver, it looked like she was trying to turn the car round."

Mrs Morris called the emergency services as soon as she saw the crash.

She added that she had recognised the woman and said she lived nearby.

"It was very dramatic, the fire and rescue service came with three or four engines and because of the way she was trapped had to cut the roof of the car to get her out."

"I'm just so relieved that my grandchildren weren't outside playing at the time, it's not even worth thinking about."

Last night it was confirmed the driver of the car had been badly hurt and admitted to an emergency ward at Colchester General Hospital.

A spokesman for Stanway Road Policing Unit said: "The driver is suffering from serious injuries, she is not in a life threatening situation but is heavily sedated at present."