A 20-YEAR-OLD man died following a crash between a car and a tipper lorry near Manningtree.

The car driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the B1035 Clacton Road, close to Horsley Cross.

Ambulance crews, police and fire crews from Manningtree, Colchester and Weeley were called to the country road shortly after 7.30am yesterday.

The crash involved a black Fiat Punto and a Volvo tipper.

The lorry driver, a 50-year-old man, was uninjured.

The Fiat’s engine caught fire but it was quickly extinguished.

A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “The car was on fire following the collision, but it was only a small fire.

“It had been extinguished using sand by a member of the public before the crews arrived.

“The crews worked with ambulance crews at the scene to extract the motorist from the car.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said the road was closed between its junctions with the A120 and Steam Mill Road until 2.30pm while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area and were thanked by police for their patience.

Carlo Guglielmi, district councillor for Manningtree, Mistley, Little Bromley and Tendring, said: “I am shocked to hear about a fatal collision here.

“It’s not a dangerous road in comparison to other roads in the county.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the person’s family at this time.

“We have had fatalities and numerous incidents on the nearby stretch of A120 and much effort has gone into getting safety measures put in place.”

He added: “But despite being a rather fast and bendy road, we have seen fewer serious incident on that stretch of Clacton Road.

“I use that road regularly, maybe three or four times a day, and have heard of few accidents there.

“It’s too early to say what caused the crash, but I’m sure a thorough investigation will be carried out by the police.

“If there are any lessons to be learned about the road from the investigation or measures identified that can be taken, I will of course push for them to be implemented.”

Any witnesses to the collision who have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact PC Darrin Lee, at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.