POLICE are investigating two accidents that happened in Thurrock yesterday (Tuesday, 28 January) that left people with serious injuries.

In the first, on Orsett Heath an elderly woman drove into a House on Heath Road.

It happened around 10.30am and woman, in her eighties, was rushed to hospital with injuries that were described by police as potentially life-threatening, though it is reported today she has improved.

She was driving from Chadwell St Mary and appeared like to lose control as she approached a 90 degree bend, leaving the road and missing a garden wall before hitting the house sideways on.

Essex Police are appealing for information and a spokesman for the force urged anyone who witnessed the crash, or has dash cam footage of it, to come forward, saying: "If you saw anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting incident 329 of 28 January or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

There were two people in the house, which suffered significant damage, but both were reported to be unhurt, though shaken by the incident. They spent last night at a hotel while damage to the house was being assessed.

Later in the day, just about a mile away on Brentwood Road close to the flats at Chadwell St Mary two cars were involved in a collision, leaving one person in one of the vehicles with serious injuries, again described by police as potentially life-threatening.

The crash happened at 5.45pm and a light blue Mazda 3TS and a blue Ford Focus were involved.

The accident took place close to large scale investigative work being carried out as part of the Lower Thames Crossing Project. In recent days concern has been expressed about floodlighting on the site distracting drivers but their position was changed and it is not thought to be a factor in the crash.

A police spokesman said: "Two people other people believed to have been in the Focus have been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and have been taken to hospital for treatment.

"The driver of the Mazda has also been taken to hospital."

A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said: "Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision just before 6pm.

"On arrival, crews reported that two vehicles had collided and a man was trapped in his car.

"Firefighters worked to release the man from his vehicle by 7.06pm and he was left in the care of the Ambulance Service."

The road was closed for several hours while the scene was cleared.

Anyone with information, CCTV or dash cam footage is asked call police on 101 quoting incident 897 of January 28 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.