Motorists traveling through the Marks Tey and Colchester areas have faced significant disruption following a serious collision on the A12, with emergency services responding to an incident that caused major congestion and lengthy delays along one of Essex’s busiest routes.
The collision occurred on the northbound A12 near Colchester, close to Junction 28, after a lorry and a car were involved in a serious crash shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026. Essex Police confirmed that emergency services attended the scene and that the road was closed in both directions while the response and investigation took place.
Tragically, a six-year-old girl died at the scene. A second child sustained a leg injury and was taken to hospital for treatment. The devastating outcome has added a particularly painful dimension to what was already a major traffic incident.
The closure created substantial disruption for drivers traveling between Marks Tey and Colchester. Reports indicated that congestion spread across the surrounding road network, with queues on the A12 stretching back toward Marks Tey and delays affecting traffic approaching Colchester.
National Highways reported that both carriageways were initially closed between Junction 28 and Junction 26, while emergency crews worked at the scene. The southbound carriageway was later reopened, but restrictions remained on the northbound side as recovery and investigative work continued.
An air ambulance was also involved in the emergency response. Vehicles caught within the affected section of the road were turned around as authorities worked to manage the closure and allow emergency personnel to reach the crash scene.
The incident caused serious delays not only on the A12 but also in Colchester itself. Drivers traveling from the Marks Tey area were among those affected, with congestion making journeys significantly longer than normal.
Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit took responsibility for investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Detective Inspector Mark Fraser said the investigation was progressing and that officers would interview the lorry driver. Police said the driver had passed roadside tests and that no arrests were made at the scene.
Investigators appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the collision or captured relevant footage on dashcams. Such evidence can help detectives establish what happened in the moments before the crash and determine the circumstances that contributed to the collision.
For the family of the six-year-old girl, the incident represents an unimaginable loss. While motorists may primarily remember the crash because of the delays it caused, the tragedy has had a far more profound impact on the family and loved ones of the child who died.
The second child who was injured was receiving medical treatment following the collision. Authorities have not indicated that the incident posed an ongoing threat to other road users after the emergency response had been completed.
The A12 is a major route serving Essex and connecting communities around Marks Tey, Colchester, and beyond. Because of the volume of traffic using the road, serious collisions can quickly result in extensive queues and disruption across nearby routes.
Separate planned roadworks have also contributed to traffic management around the Marks Tey section of the A12. Scheduled overnight closures and carriageway works have affected portions of the road during August, meaning motorists have faced additional restrictions in the area.
Drivers traveling through the area are therefore encouraged to check traffic conditions before beginning their journeys and allow additional travel time when restrictions or emergency incidents are reported.
The fatal collision remains a sensitive matter, particularly for the family grieving the loss of a young child. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances, while authorities have encouraged anyone with relevant information or footage to come forward.
For the wider Marks Tey and Colchester communities, the incident is a painful reminder of the importance of road safety and the devastating consequences that can follow a serious collision.
As the investigation continues, further information may be released by Essex Police concerning the circumstances of the crash and any subsequent action involving those involved.
For now, the thoughts of the community remain with the family of the child who lost her life, the injured child and their relatives, and everyone affected by the tragic A12 collision.
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