Renault Arkana smashes into Hart Road Thundersley brick wall

Shocked residents filled the street in Hart Road after hearing the huge crash as the black Renault Arkana veered off the road and smashed into the brick wall at about 9.50pm on Tuesday. 

The incident happened close to the roundabout that links Rayleigh Road and Daws Heath Road, which residents have described as "notorious". 

According to claims on Facebook, the driver “lost control, missed all the bollards, electric wire, sign for the village and only hit the wall”.

One neighbour, who does not wish to be named and lives in Rayleigh Road, said: “My husband and I heard a massive boom at 9.50pm exactly.

“I texted my husband and said: ‘What was that?’

“He was by the garage at the time and then went out with the dog to see what went on.

“It was an almighty boom and was not like a firework. Obviously, something bad had happened.

“It’s such a dangerous roundabout because people do not give way.

“The number of times we’ve had near misses from Hart Road to Rayleigh Road, where I live is crazy.”

The Echo contacted Essex Police for a comment, and it said this was a “minor injury collision with no offences identified”.

The impacted wall is outside the Ocean Fish Bar and Chinese Take Away, which is opposite the Essex Car Sales dealership and MOT service centre.

The resident claimed an “older gentleman swerved to miss a white car, which carried on driving”.

Dave Blackwell, Canvey Independent Party leader of Castle Point Council, said: “People are saying they’ve had near misses several times, they shouldn’t be afraid to contact us directly or their Essex County Council councillor so it can be passed on to the local highways panel.

“Once it’s raised, perhaps the traffic could be slowed down or make people aware it’s a short bend.

“Things can be done, and people should be aware they can contact us or Essex County Council to raise an issue so future incidents like this can be sorted out as soon as possible.”