A LORRY driver has been flown to hospital in a critical condition after a seven vehicle crash on the A13.

Police closed the road in both directions near the Manorway junction, between Stanford-Le-Hope and the Five Bells interchange following the crash, which happened at about 8.50am today.

The Herts Air Ambulance landed at the scene and took one man to Royal London Hospital in a critical condition. 

He suffered serious leg injuries, which have been described as life-threatening and life-changing.

A second person has been taken to Basildon Hospital by land ambulance in a stable condition.

Paramedics assessed a third person at the scene but they did not require hospital treatment.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We treated a lorry driver who was trapped in his vehicle.

"He was airlifted to Royal London Hospital with serious leg injuries, which have been described as life-changning.

"He was in a life-threatening condition."

Five fire engines from Orsett, Basildon and Grays were called to the scene for firefighters to use specialist cutting equipment to free two trapped people.

At 9.50am, the fire service confirmed it had cut two casualties free from their vehicles.

An ambulance crew, an ambulance officer, the Herts Air Ambulance, a volunteer doctor and the hazardous area response team were also at the scene.

Paramedics arrived at the scene within five minutes of being called about the crash. 

At 1.15pm, Essex Police confirmed the road had fully reopened.