A motorcyclist has died and a schoolgirl is in a critical condition following a serious crash in Braintree this morning.  

The motorcyclist, a man in his 40s, was declared dead at the scene.

A 16-year-old girl pedestrian was air lifted to the Royal London Hospital with serious injuries.

She is in a critical condition.

The collision happened just before 8am on the A131 in Braintree at the junction with Grove Field and involved a motorbike, a pedestrian and a blue Toyota Corolla.

The Toyota driver was not injured.

The road has been closed whilst investigations continue.

Officers from the Serious Collision Unit would like to speak to any witnesses, especially those who may have seen the motorcycle before the collision. It was travelling on the road from Braintree, towards Halstead.

Anyone with any information can call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on Essex Police 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.

UPDATE: The road has now been opened.