Elderly wrong-way driver causes traffic chaos

An elderly woman caused a multiple-car pile-up and brought traffic chaos to Essex motorists after driving the wrong way down the A13 near Basildon.

The woman, thought to be in her 80s, was spotted driving the wrong way down the busy London-bound carriageway at around midday on Monday.

Police received several reports about the lady's red Peugeot from panicked motorists, before a number of drivers were involved in collisions attempting to get out of the way.

One motorist was taken to hospital with neck and back injuries after colliding with the central reservation. The elderly driver was also taken to hospital as a precaution.

The A13 was closed between the Five Bell junction and the junction with the A132 for about 40 minutes while the scene was cleared.

Eyewitness Sam Butt, told the Daily Mail: "I'd just changed into the left lane when all of a sudden in the right lane I could see this little old lady in her red car.

"She was driving without a worry in the world in the fast lane. In the rear view mirror I could see absolute carnage.

"A car swerved out of the way and went completely into the barrier and the next car did the same. About four cars must have crashed before she finally stopped.

"It was just chaos and it was shocking to see all these cars swerving out of control. It was surreal and if I hadn't changed lanes a few seconds earlier it could have been much worse for us.'"

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Police received a number of reports of a car travelling the wrong way on the A13 near Basildon at 12.30pm," The Express reports.

"A red Peugeot was reported to be driving the wrong way on the London-bound carriageway.

"Enquiries are ongoing."