A woman in her 50s has been arrested after an ambulance was flipped on its side in a crash with a car and a lorry, leaving five people in hospital. 

Emergency services rushed to the junction of the A13 and A130 at Bowers Gifford, Essex, at around 1.20pm on Friday afternoon. 

Six ambulances, two paramedic cars, an air ambulance and specialist collision investigation police units descended on the busy road. 

Some five people were taken to hospital. 

The woman, from Canvey Island, Essex, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of failing to provide a sample of breath. She remains in custody. 

Police have since launched an investigation and are appealing for information and witnesses to assist with their enquiries.  

Shocking images show an ambulance overturned on its side alongside a flat-bed truck and a large black four-by-four car in the middle of the carriageway. 

Surrounding traffic can be seen at a near standstill - which saw drivers warned of delays in the area. 

A spokesperson for East of England Ambulance Service said: 'Six ambulances, two paramedic cars and East Anglian Air Ambulance were called to the Junction of the A13 and A130 at Bowers Gifford this afternoon following reports of an ambulance being involved in a road traffic collision with one or more other vehicles.'

An East Anglian Air Ambulance spokesperson said: 'East Anglian Air Ambulance's Anglia Two (Cambridge) crew were tasked near to Basildon to assist EEAST, Police and Fire teams with five patients involved in a Road Traffic Collision. 

'Babcock Pilots landed the helicopter in a field near to the scene.

'Doctor David and Critical Care Paramedic Gary gave full assessments to two women and a man in their forties and a woman in her fifties. 

'They gave a full assessment and provided A & E level care at the scene to another man in his fifties, including administering advanced pain relief. 

'The HEMS crew then accompanied one patient to Basildon Hospital, by road ambulance, for further treatment.'

An Essex Police spokesperson said: 'An investigation is continuing into a crash involving three vehicles on the A13 near Pitsea.

'Officers were called to the Southend-bound carriageway at around 1.20pm on Friday, April 24.' 

They continued: 'A woman, aged in her 50s, from Canvey, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of failing to provide a sample of breath. She remains in custody.

'If anyone has any information or footage which could assist our enquiries, please get in touch.'

People are asked to contact the force using its 24/7 live chat service or alternatively, they can call 101, quoting incident 603 of April 24.