A FIVE vehicle accident has blocked the Londonbound A12 between Howe Green and Galleywood.
The collision happened at around 7.30am between junction 17 and junction 16 with the A130.
Traffic is backed up to junction 20 at Hatfield Peverel as the carriageway remains blocked.
Emergency services including paramedics, fire service and police are at the scene.
Firefighters from Great Baddow and Chelmsford are working to release a person trapped in a vehicle with cutting equipment.
The northbound side of the road was also closed while a the air ambulance landed to help any casualties.
An Essex Police spokesman said: "Roads policing officers are at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on the sounthbound carriageway.
"The collision happened at 7.30am, a number of people received minor injuries.
"A section of the northbound carriageway was closed for a short time while the air ambulance landed.
"The south bound carriageway is currently blocked."
