THE A12 north of Colchester was blocked this morning following two crashes.

A car left the northbound carriageway at 8.15am and ended up in bushes.

Fire crews from Colchester, Ipswich and Hadleigh were at the scene, at the Capel St Mary junction, by 8.33am.

A victim had to be cut free from the wreckage.

Minutes later there was a second crash in the queuing traffic caused by the first accident.

Two more victims were freed by firefighters and treated by the ambulance service.

Lane restrictions were in place while the wreckage was cleared.