AN EIGHTY-year-old man was taken to hospital after two cars collided on Epping High Road this afternoon (Friday).

Traffic was held up behind the scene of the accident, which occurred at around midday, after a silver Vauxhall Meriva drove into the rear of a stationary blue Ford Fusion.

George Joslin, who was driving the Ford, was taken to Harlow Hospital after suffering pain in his lower back following the incident.

His grandson, Daniel Joslin, 22, was sat in the passengers seat next to him, while Daniel's girlfriend, Vicky Easterbrook, 19, was sat in the rear. Daniel reported suffering slight neck pain as a result of the impact.

Two other stationary cars in front of Mr Joslin's car were also shunted as the accident occurred, but were not damaged and left the scene shortly after.

The driver of the Vauxhall, 57-year-old Roland Gillanders, who lives in Loughton having moved from Durban in South Africa in 2006, said he had been distracted by the large crane operating in the building site on the opposite side of the road. He was travelling with his wife, Darryl Gillanders, 55.