A MOTORIST died after losing control of his car and crashing into a lamppost.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Dean Self, 46, of Green Walk, Ongar, died shortly after the collision in the early hours of Saturday morning (January 10).

An Essex Police spokesman said he was travelling alone in a white Vauxhall Vectra when the accident happened on the A1306 in Wennington, on the outskirts of Rainham, in east London.

Police believe he had been driving on the London-bound carriageway of the A13 and had just exited the slip road when he lost control of the vehicle.

Three fire crews were called to help free Mr Self, who was trapped inside the car, before leaving him in the care of the ambulance service.

Paramedics carried out emergency treatment at the roadside before rushing him to Darent Valley Hospital in Kent.

Joy Hale, communications manager at the East of England Ambulance Service, said: "We were called at 2.15am and we had a rapid response vehicle and ambulance crew there within eight minutes.

"We did a lot of work on him at the scene before conveying him on blue lights to hospital, where he sadly died a short time later."

The slip road was closed for about five hours as forensic officers carried out tests.

Witnesses to the crash are urged to call officers at Laindon Road Policing Unit on 0300 333 4444.