A woman in her 70s has died in a two-car head on crash in Writtle this afternoon (July 1).
Two female drivers in a bronze Kia Picanto and a black Ford Focus collided on the A414 Ongar Road west of Writtle shortly before 4.10pm.
While the motorist of a bronze car, a Chelmsford woman, was pronounced dead at the scene, the driver of the black Ford Fiesta was carried to Royal London Hospital via an air ambulance with injuries not thought to be life-threatening.
All three emergency services crowded the scene while the road will remain shut between the junction with Highwood Road and the turn-off to Newney Green until about 9pm
Ongar Road resident Jamie Clements, 24, described hearing a "horrendous" bang after returning home from work.
Mr Clements said: "I'd just got home from work and stepped through the front door and heard an almighty bang which I can only describe as sounding like a horrendous car-on-car bang.
"I just came steaming out of the front door and my mum said get your phone, call the police, call anybody."
Mr Clements remained on the scene parked in a 4x4 to deter motorists from approaching the aftermath of the crash.
"There were people on the phone when I got around there, about half a dozen people and a few ambulances, I just saw bits of car everywhere," he said.
"There was a good chunk of people seeing if the woman in the bronze car was OK and a couple of people around the Focus making sure the girl was OK."
Detective sergeant 1367 Kevin May said: "Two vehicles, both travelling in different directions, for reasons unknown at this stage, collided head on with one another.
"We are awaiting to speak to all witnesses at the scene but a lady has been declared dead and we are still waiting upon enquiries to ascertain next of kin.
"The other lady has got a few injuries. We are still trying to establish those. She has been taken by helimed to Royal London Hospital."
The Serious Collision Investigation Unit remained on site at 6.30pm studying the scene.
Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact the unit on 101 or email: collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.
