A WOMAN is in hospital following a search and rescue operation.

Emergency services rushed to Hedge Lane, Hadleigh on Sunday July 24 to reports that a unwell woman was missing and had been seen in the Hadleigh area near West Woods in Hedge Lane, Hadleigh.

Residents reported that the emergency services vehicles filled Hedge Lane.

John Buckley, 72, of Willow Walk, Hadleigh said he had gone for a walk and he saw all the emergency services in the road and was wondering what was going on.

He added: “We were surprised to see so much activity from the emergency services because its not something that you usually see around this area.

“We thought it must have been quite a serious incident to warrant such as reaction from the emergency services.”

David Shepherd, 69, of Hedge Lane, Hadleigh said people were out in the road having a look and trying to find out what was going on.

He added: “We were in on Sunday July 24 and suddenly we noticed the blue flashing lights.

“I went out and spoke to a fire man who told me the emergency services and they told me there searching for a missing person.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police were contacted at around 11am on July 24 with reports of concern for the welfare of a woman seen in woodland near Rayleigh Road in Benfleet.

“Officers attended and a search was conducted to try to locate the woman.

She was found unwell near Hedge Lane and taken to hospital for treatment where she remains.”

A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 2.56pm on Sunday July 25th July to an in Hadleigh, Benfleet.

“An ambulance and an ambulance officer attended and treated a woman who was unconscious and breathing.

“She was taken to Southend University Hospital for further care.”

Essex Fire Service confirmed that one fire crew from Rayleigh attended the incident.