Chairman David Sheepshanks has been speaking about last night's car accident which saw himself, Jim Magilton, Charlie Woods and club player liaison officer Wolfe Powell receive minor injuries. The quartet were taken to Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital as a precaution but were released soon afterwards.

Sheepshanks explained the circumstances surrounding the crash at Mountnessing near Brentwood yesterday at around 8pm, which appears more serious than early reports suggested: "We were caught in a traffic jam at Brentwood and had slowed to walking pace when we were hit from behind by a car.

"It hit us with a lot of force - it pushed us about 25 to 30 metres along the road. That car then burst into flames, but the driver had a very lucky escape.

"He ended up with a broken leg and other injuries, but he was conscious and not in any danger.

"We all suffered bruises and were shaken up, but we were taken to Broomfield and were allowed home later in the evening.”

The 41-year-old driver of the Ford Fiesta which hit the Town officials, who were in a Landcruiser, also suffered chest injuries, while a 39-year-old woman received head injuries. The driver of a third car, a Vauxhall Vectra, also suffered injuries in the crash.

Sheepshanks says another driver pulled the Fiesta driver from his car after it had caught alight: "He jumped out and dragged the driver out of the crashed car. To be honest I didn't see much of what was happening because we were all rather shaken up, but he certainly saved his life because the car went up in flames.

"We were all very lucky and are fine today. We are hoping to feel even better after Sunday lunchtime after victory in the big match!”

Sheepshanks, Magilton and Woods had been on a one-day trip abroad, although no more details have been released regarding the reason for their excursion.

Photo: Action Images

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