A MAN was seriously injured after being flung from a car in an early morning crash.

Residents in St Nicholas Lane, Laindon, told how they woke up to the sound of someone screaming in pain.

Police are investigating the crash, which took place at about 3.40am on Sunday.

The man, aged in his twenties, was taken to Basildon Hospital with serious leg injuries, where he remained at the time the Echo went to print.

A woman had to be cut out of the car by firefighters after becoming trapped.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said her mum was shaken and “very upset” up by the incident.

She said: “She was woken up in the early hours by a man’s screams and bangs.

She rushed to try and find him and then saw the police and firefighters arrive.

“It looked very bad. She was so worried.”

Gary Walters, 56, of St Nicholas Lane, raised concerns about safety on the stretch of road.

He said: “Drivers do come up here fast because at one end of the road there is a dual carriageway and it then goes into just one lane, which makes it worse.

“I think it especially worrying because James Hornsby is nearby, and people really should be driving carefully near a school.

“To be honest I am surprised there haven’t been more crashes.”

A mother-of-one, of St Nicholas Lane, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “I was woken up by blue flashing lights going past my window on Sunday morning. I find it all very concerning.”

An ambulance service spokesman said: “Two ambulances, an ambulance officer, a rapid response vehicle and a volunteer from the Essex Accident Rescue service attended and treated a man in his twenties.

“He was taken to Basildon Hospital with serious injuries to his legs.”

An Essex Police spokesman urged anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “Police are investigating following a collision in St Nicholas Lane, Laindon, at 3.40am on Sunday, July 24.

“A man was thrown clear of the vehicle and a woman was trapped and needed to be cut free by the fire service. Both suffered only minor injuries.

“Any witnesses are asked to contact police on 101.”