The A120 has now re-opened westbound at Great Dunmow following a collision between a coach and a lorry.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 3.25pm on Thursday, June 8, and the westbound carriageway did not re-open until 2am on Friday, June 9.

Essex Police urged motorists to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

The crash has happened close to the junction with the B1256 and B1417 at Felsted.

Passengers travelling to flights at Stansted Airport were encouraged to allow extra time for their journey.

Dunmow Broadcast: Traffic on the A120. Picture: TOM HAMILTONTraffic on the A120. Picture: TOM HAMILTON (Image: Archant)

Traffic was slow moving almost as far back as the Great Notley turn off on the A120.

There were also delays on the eastbound carriageway as a result of the crash, with the carriageway closed for a period to allow emergency services to work safely at the scene and for the two air ambulances, both from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust, to land.

The East of England Ambulance Service said it was treating five patients, all adult.

One is in a serious condition, while the other is said to be in a serious but not life-threatening condition.

Three have minor injuries.

All five are being taken to Broomfield Hospital by land ambulance.

Four ambulances, two ambulance officers and the trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team were sent to the scene.

A spokesman from Essex Police said: “A number of people were treated for injuries including a woman in her 70s who had a potentially life-changing injury.”

Fire crews from great Dunmow, Braintree, Stansted, Chelmsford and the Urban Search and Rescue crew were sent to the scene.

A fire service spokesman said: “Firefighters worked with paramedics to help release three people who were medically trapped in the coach.

“The casualties were released by 5pm and left in the care of the ambulance service.”

Highways England has reported the road is closed from the B1417 to the B1008 (Barnston junction) while emergency service deal with the incident.

Motorists are being forced to divert through villages on either side of Great Dunmow.