A police officer has died in the line of duty after being involved in a crash on a dual carriageway.
The officer was responding to an emergency at the time of the collision which took place on a stretch of the A12 near Ingatestone at around 12.25pm on Wednesday.
Emergency services attended, but the officer sadly died at the scene. His family have since been informed.
It is not believed that any other was involved in the crash, Essex Police said.
The road was closed for a significant amount of time while specialist officers responded and investigated at the scene, the force added.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: ‘My thoughts and prayers, and those of the entire Essex Police family, are with the officer’s family and friends.
‘I want to pay tribute to our professional and courageous colleague. He was a dedicated professional who died doing his job – protecting and serving the people of Essex. I will always be grateful for his service.
‘We are supporting the officer’s colleagues and his family at this extremely difficult time.
A police officer has died in the line of duty after being involved in a car crash on a stretch of the A12 (pictured)
‘I would ask that people do not speculate about the collision and the circumstances around it. Please let our experienced and professional investigators carry out their work.
‘I also want to thank the public who were affected by the collision for their patience, understanding, and co-operation with officers and our emergency service colleagues who responded to the collision.’
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: ‘This is a tragic, terrible incident in which the life of a valued and respected officer has been lost.
‘We pay tribute to this officer who was carrying out his duties keeping Essex people safe and secure. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues.’
