Passengers were lucky to escape with only minor injuries after a four-car crash.

Rush-hour traffic was brought to a standstill after the pile up on the A131 between the Broad Road roundabout and the Marks Farm roundabout, Braintree, at 8.45am today.

The road had to be closed for more than an hour as the blue Renault Clio, blue Citroen C5, blue Vauxhall Corsa and a silver Ford Fiesta were recovered.

An Essex Police spokesman said the passengers were not seriously injured.

The road was re-opened by 9.55am.