MOTORISTS have been urged to take extra caution following two car crashes that happened just 50 yards apart in the space of 24 hours in Great Bardfield. In the first incident, a man escaped injury when his car, a white Citroen Saxo, hit some trees and ove

MOTORISTS have been urged to take extra caution following two car crashes that happened just 50 yards apart in the space of 24 hours in Great Bardfield.

In the first incident, a man escaped injury when his car, a white Citroen Saxo, hit some trees and overturned in Braintree Road shortly before 3.30pm yesterday (Monday) afternoon.

Fire crews from Thaxted, Wethersfield and Harlow were called to the scene amid fears that the man was trapped in the car.

However, he was already freed from the wreckage on their arrival shortly after 4pm.

Police, who assisted fire crews in clearing the roadway and making the car safe following the incident, continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

Around midday today (Tuesday), Thaxted firefighters were called to a separate incident just yards from the first, where another car had overturned after leaving the roadway.

On this occasion, the crew arrived to discover members of the public had righted the vehicle with its two occupants still inside.

Firefighter Matt Goullee said: "Fortunately in this instance everything was okay and the occupants of the car escaped unscathed after well-intentioned passers by managed to get the vehicle up the right way.

"However, we would urge people to wait for the professionals to arrive whenever casualties are involved as there is, in many instances, the potential that more serious injury can be caused through unnecessary movement."

Mr Goullee added: "This incident happened just 50 yards from yesterday's shout when a car flipped over. The roads in the area are very greasy and slippery at the moment and we would urge people to take care when driving locally and to maintain safe speeds."

Thaxted firefighters ensured the car was made safe before leaving the scene.