THE A127 has been re-opened following a horror crash which killed two horses and left a man with serious head injuries. 

Essex Police said the scene of the accident near to Pound Lane at Wickford was so disturbing that they have advised witnesses to seek counselling.

Echo: A127

The accident happened at aroun 6.17 this morning after three horses  escaped from a field and were feeding on the grass in central reservation of the A127.

They became spooked by traffic and ran into the road where one was hit by a car.

Three more vehicles were then involved in the collision.

One animal was killed instantly, another had to be put down by a vet and the third was unharmed.

One driver suffered serious head injuries and had to be cut free from his vehicle by firefighters from Rayleigh Weir.

He was taken to Basildon Hospital where his condition is not thought to be life threatening. 

Leading Firefighter Phil Owens said: "It was a terrible scene.

"The horses had got out of a nearby field and gone into the road where they caused this collision. The roof had been almost entirely torn off the first car which hit with the horse.

"Both horses died as a result of this, one instantly and the other had to be put down by a vet."

The road had been closed between Pound Lane and the A130 with reports suggesting queues as far back as Rayleigh. 

The Alton Garden Centre, near to the accident was closed this morning but has now re-opened.