POLICE are searching for witnesses to a crash which left five people in hospital - two of them seriously injured.

The smash at The Strood between Peldon and West Mersea happened at approximately 10.30am on Monday when a car and a bus collided.

The drivers of the respective vehicles suffered serious injuries but are now in a stable condition in hospital.

Three of the bus passengers had minor injuries.

The road was blocked for several hours and The Strood eventually had to be evacuated because the incoming tide was expected to flood the Causeway.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "If you saw what happened or have dash cam footage we need to you to contact us on 101 quoting incident 325 of June 3 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."