A DRIVER was rushed to hospital after his car crashed into a tree and burst into flames.

Eyewitnesses were alerted to the potentially fatal smash in Upper Mayne, Basildon, at about 2am yesterday.

Paramedics and firefighters rushed to the scene as the blaze took hold. No update of the driver’s condition has been released.

Images taken by witnesses from the scene showed huge flames covering the car. Witnesses said it was terrifying to watch.

Becky Simpson, 30, of Whitmore Way, Basildon, said: “I hope the driver of the car is okay - but it didn’t look good to be honest.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.

“People do speed around this roundabout and area is a bit dangerous.

“But I have never seen a car in such a bad state. I did see the ambulance and fire crews on scene.

“Some people said it was still there at about 6am that morning.”

Witness Barry Sharpe, 50, of High Road, Laindon, was quite sympathetic.

He said: “I was driving home after a late shift at work and saw the car in flames.

“There were not many people about at the time.

“I think some people do not realise how dangerous high-speed driving can be.

“This person could be seriously hurt or even worse.

“It certainly was a bit of a shock to see what was happening there.

“I hope this driver is now recovering well from this awful ordeal.

“They have also lost a car and that will be a bit of an inconvenience I can imagine.

“I really do feel for them, I do.”

A spokesman for the fire service said: “We were called at 2.14am to the Roundacre Roundabout in Basildon and the fire was extinguished by 2.29am.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We sent a rapid response vehicle and five ambulances to Upper Mayne in Basildon shortly before 2.15am on July 31 after receiving reports of a collision.

“Crews treated one patient at the scene before transporting them to Basildon Hospital for further assessment and care.”

Essex Police were contacted for comment about the response and any investigation but did not respond.