PHOTOGRAPHS have emerged of yesterday's afternoon of mayhem which saw three separate crashes on a one-mile stretch of the M11.

A total of six cars and a lorry were involved in the smashes, which happened within the space of an hour of each other at around 1.30pm on Sunday near Epping at junction six of the motorway.

Two people were rushed to hospital following the incidents, and there were large tailbacks for motorists throughout the area as crews struggled to remove the wreckage.

Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A fire and rescue service spokesman said: "Initially four appliances were sent to deal with the incident - three on the affected carriageway and one on the opposite side of the motorway.

"Once the officer in charge had assessed the scene, he requested the attendance of an additional three appliances and a second rescue tender."

Seven rescue teams from Loughton, Epping and Ongar were among those sent to the chaotic scenes.

The photographs have been released by the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

It is not known if the crashes were linked with each other.

Essex Air Ambulance doctor Adam Chesters, who was at the scene treating the injured, said: "We flew one middle-aged female driver to Queen's Hospital, Romford, with facial injuries.

"Including our patient, there were 10 patients in total. Two others were taken to Queens - a man in his 40s with a head injury and woman in her 60s with a back injury.

"Four others were assessed on scene but didn't need further treatment, and two others declined medical assistance."

Did you see what happened? Were you caught up in it? Contact the Guardian on 0779 547 6625 or email dbinns@london.newsquest.co.uk