A SECOND man has been arrested in connection with the fatal road crash on the A414 at Norton Heath, near Ongar.

Both men - aged 35, from Ongar, and a 46-year-old, from Writtle - were held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. However investigating officers later released the Ongar man without charge.

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the crash which involved three vehicles, including one towing a caravan.

A 34-year-old man from the Southend area, who was driving a white Vauxhall Combo van, died at the scene despite the efforts of two ambulance crews and emergency doctor Phil Brown.

Three other people were injured in the accident, after which one of the driver of one of the vehicles drove off from the scene.

Three vehicles were involved in the collision which happened between King Street, High Ongar, and Rookery Road, at Norton Heath.

A police spokesman said a black Range Rover travelling towards Ongar collided with a caravan being towed by what is believed to be a white Ford Transit tipper, or similar vehicle, which was being driven in the opposite direction.

The Range Rover then collided with a white Vauxhall Combo van travelling behind the caravan.

The driver of the vehicle towing the caravan drove off, leaving the caravan behind.

Fire crews from Ongar, Harlow and Chelmsford spent about an hour dealing with the incident and had to cut one person from the wreckage. The road remained closed last Tuesday morning while officers made a detailed search of the crash scene.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, which happened at 7.20pm on Monday, March 10, should ring the Chigwell road policing unit on 01279 621866 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.