Man arrested on suspicion of murder after car hits pub in Colchester

3 November 2019, 09:22

By Nick Hardinges

@NHardinges

One man man has died and three others have been left injured after a car crashed into the Spinnaker Inn pub in Colchester, Essex.

A local man, 40, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, grievous bodily harm, assault and death by dangerous driving following the collision around 50 minutes after midnight.

Essex police confirmed a 36-year-old died at the scene and that one of the three people, aged 34, who was taken to hospital has life-changing injuries

A 34-year old woman and another man aged 33 sustained minor injuries.

A white Nissan Qashqai was taken away from the scene by some of the rescue authorities.

The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed four ambulances were sent to the scene as well as the hazardous incident team, two medical units and four officers.

Police closed the road until 9am on Sunday morning with drivers being advised to avoid the area.

One neighbour who arrived at the incident within 20 minutes of the crash said a friend rushed to help after seeing it happen.

He added: "I heard there were two people in the car, and a lady in the car was having a panic attack."

A local shopkeeper said: "The car came from this way [gesturing towards the junction with Hesper Road] and banged into the pub.

"I heard there were two or three people outside smoking."

Essex Police confirmed that the female who had been in the car was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Formal identification of the victim who died had not yet taken place.

Anyone with information is asked to to contact Essex Police by contacting 101 and quoting incident 63 of 3 November.