Police remain on the scene of a serious crash involving a car and "three ride-on lawnmowers" as a major Southend road has been partially re-opened.

All emergency services were called to Royal Artillery Way at around 7.40am following the four-vehicle crash, initially reported to  involving two vehicles.

An air ambulance also landed near the scene and two people were rushed to hospital. 

One has been transported by road ambulance to Southend Hospital, and a second person was airlifted to The Royal London Hospital.

The road was initially shut in both directions for more than two hours. Royal Artillery Way has now been partially re-opened between Hamstel Road and Southchurch Boulevard.

It remains closed towards Shoebury.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called to Royal Artillery Way at around 7.40am following a collision involving four vehicles, including one car and three ride-on lawnmowers.

"Emergency services including air ambulance were in attendance.

"Two people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries."

Firefighters also attended. Nobody was trapped but crews worked to make the scene safe, a spokesman confirmed.

“Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on Royal Artillery Way, Southend at 7.47am," the Essex Fire Service spokesman said. 

“On arrival, crews reported two vehicles had collided. Nobody was trapped and crews worked to make the scene safe by 8.51am.”