Forensic investigators are on the scene after a serious car crash landed three people in hospital.

At around 11am this morning a car and a van crashed in Aimes Green, Waltham Abbey.

The van - a Mercedes believed to be from a nearby dog sanctuary - was carrying two dogs when it collided with a Ford Focus.

Fire fighters from Waltham Abbey, Cheshunt and Loughton stations worked to release two people and the dogs from van, which had left the roadway and ended up in a ditch.

An air ambulance landed on the lawn of a nearby home, which helped take the incident's three casualties to hospital.

Their condition is not currently known.

As of 3.25pm nearby roads were still in lockdown as forensic investigators studied the scene.

One nearby homeowner said: "The place is a crime scene. It was a massive crash.

"The air ambulance landed on my front lawn.

"I think one person at least is in a pretty bad shape. They got taken away by the air ambulance.

"Everybody is just hoping it is not a fatality."

As the two vehicles collided power went out in homes running along the rural road, leading people to believe one of the cars had hit a power supply.

It appears that the blackout's timing was coincidental.

Both of the dogs died in the crash.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the collision but has not yet spoken to officers, or who has any dash cam footage of the incident available to view.

"Please call the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit on 101 quoting incident number 383 of 05/11.

"Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."