Colchester: Crash Family 'Lucky To Be Alive'

Police say a family are lucky to be alive following a crash on the A12.

It happened near Stanway on Saturday night (April 6th) when a blue BMW 318 and a blue VW Polo struck each other on the northbound carriageway.

The Polo overturned, leaving a couple and their two children injured. Officers are looking for the BMW driver, who fled the scene leaving the car smoking.

Investigating Officer, Pc Grant Fryatt, said: "This family could have been killed in this collision. The damage to both vehicles is very extensive and the four in the Polo are lucky to have walked away with just minor injuries.

"The BMW driver is likely to have been injured too and we are concerned for his health as well as wanting to speak to him in relation to the cause of the crash."

The occupants of the Polo, who are from Ipswich, were taken to Colchester General Hospital and later discharged.

Lisa Sheldrake was the front-seat passenger. She said: "Our child seats were completely destroyed which illustrates the ferocity of the impact. I don't know how our children walked away from that crash with just a few minor cuts and bruises.

"We had been returning home that Saturday evening after a day out shopping in south London."

Anyone with information in connection with this crash is urged to contact investigating officers at Stanway Road Policing Unit on 101.